Alo Coffee

The story

Alo Coffee was founded in 2020 by Tamiru Tadesse and his wife, Messi, following Tamiru's years of experience in the coffee industry as a teacher and engineer. The company was established to address the undervaluation of Sidama's coffee and to showcase the region's potential on a global stage. Their inaugural submission from their home village of Alo in Bensa won the 2021 Ethiopia Cup of Excellence, validating their mission.

Challenges

The founder observed significant industry challenges, including unfair pricing and the systemic undervaluing of labor, which left smallholder farmers at a disadvantage. Additionally, the industry historically struggled with a disconnect between the high quality of the coffee produced and the recognition it received in the market.

Innovations

Alo Coffee utilizes a network of high-end processing stations across Sidama and West Arsi to meticulously tailor processing methods to highlight regional flavor profiles. They focus on selective handpicking and precise processing to elevate the quality of coffee produced by smallholder farmers.