Addis Ababa – September 14, 2025 – (Qahwa World) – The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) has announced sweeping changes to the country’s coffee export regulations, significantly increasing the minimum capital required for exporters. The move, introduced under Directive 1106/2025, aims to professionalize the sector, reduce malpractice, and ensure higher quality standards in Ethiopia’s leading export industry.
Özel kahve ihracatçıları artık sadece 1 milyon birr olan başlangıç sermayelerini 15 kat artırarak 15 milyon birr'e çıkarmak zorunda. Ticaret birlikleri ile anonim ve limited şirketler gibi tüzel kişilikler ise daha da yüksek bir artışla, 1,5 milyon birrden 20 milyon birre, yani önceki eşiğin 13 katından fazla bir artışla karşı karşıya. ECTA, önceki kuralların ihracatçıları izlemek ve yeterlilik belgelerinin kötüye kullanılmasını önlemek için yetersiz olduğunu belirtti.
In addition to higher financial requirements, all exporters — except farmer exporters — are now obligated to establish an ECTA-certified coffee laboratory for basic quality testing. They must also employ a qualified coffee taster with at least a diploma and a renewed proficiency certificate, with each taster restricted to serving only one dispatcher.
The decision has divided stakeholders. Veteran exporter Semachew Ababu welcomed the directive, saying it would “refine the market” by filtering out under-funded players and ensuring greater consistency in quality for international buyers.
But smaller businesses voiced concerns. Entrepreneur Sosena Desalegin criticized the sudden hike, calling it “impossible to raise that much money overnight for a new business,” warning that it could stifle new entrants and competition.
Independent experts acknowledged the directive’s goal of curbing illegal practices but cautioned against the unintended consequences. “It may limit the sector to a few large players, which is not healthy for long-term growth and diversification,” one expert observed.
The new guidelines came into effect this week and are expected to reshape Ethiopia’s coffee export market, potentially concentrating power in the hands of larger companies while tightening quality controls across the sector.
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