Board & Staff

Chairman and CEO, Amir Hamza (T) Limited
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Email: amir@amimza.com

Mr. Amir Hamza is the Chairman and CEO of Amir Hamza (T) Limited, a leading spray-dried instant coffee company that he owns with his family. With over 40 years of experience in the coffee industry, Mr. Hamza is deeply committed to its development and growth. His company operates the largest and most modern state-of-the-art spray-dried instant coffee factory in East and Central Africa, and is also actively involved in trading green coffee beans.

Board Memberships and Leadership Roles:

• National Coffee Input Voucher Scheme
• Tanzania Coffee Development Trust Fund
• Tanzania Coffee Research Institute
• Bukoba Urban Water and Sewerage Authority
• Kagera Sports Committee
• The Tax Appeal Board

Mr. Hamza has also served as Chairman of the Tanzania Coffee Association and Vice Chairman of the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (Kagera Region). Additionally, he was appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture to the Board of the Tanzania Coffee Board, where he also served as Chairman. Currently, he is the Interim Chairman of the National Quality Association of Tanzania. 

Mr. Hamza regularly attends and participates in numerous conferences, exhibitions, and seminars related to the coffee industry across the globe, staying at the forefront of industry trends and innovations.

Chairman, Kenya Coffee Platform, Nairobi, Kenya
Email: karuguo@gmail.com 

Mr. Karugu Macharia has had a distinguished career in the agricultural sector, serving in various capacities for over 35 years, from the early eighties until his voluntary retirement in 2018. An agronomist by training from Egerton University, Mr. Karugu began his career as an agricultural officer in Nyeri District. He then served as an Area Manager for the Coffee Board of Kenya and later worked as a consultant with the Kenya Planters Cooperative Union, where he managed large and medium coffee estates, cooperative societies, and unions. During his tenure as Head of the Field Services Department, Kenya achieved its highest coffee production of approximately 130,000 tonnes.

Mr. Karugu has also made significant contributions as a consultant for the Coffee Support Network of Solidaridad Netherlands in East and Central Africa. He served as the Regional Manager for Africa and India for UTZ Certified (now part of the Rainforest Alliance), where he was instrumental in introducing certification standards in Africa and India.

Following his consultancy work, he was engaged by Solidaridad Network to establish a regional office for Solidaridad East and Central Africa, setting up offices in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, in addition to extending coffee technical services Cameroon, DRC, Malawi, and Zambia. He served as the Regional Director until his retirement. Mr. Karugu was a founding member of the Kenya Coffee Platform, collaborating with AFCA, RA/UTZ Certified, Solidaridad, and Global Coffee Platform (GCP). He worked closely with AFCA in hosting the last conference held in Kenya.

Throughout his career, Mr. Karugu has demonstrated a strong commitment to the agricultural sector, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the coffee industry in Africa.

Managing Director, Mountain Harvest
Kampala, Uganda
Email: kbarigye@mountainharvest.com

Mr. Kenneth Barigye is the Managing Director of Mountain Harvest, a coffee company he founded in 2017 to specialize in exporting high quality specialty coffee.

Mr. Barigye is a commercial coffee farmer growing coffees on the slopes of Mt Rwenzori, Mityana and Kisoro in Uganda and his business model envisions a more sustainable and equitable future for all actors in the coffee value chain. A future in which smallholder farmers are thriving, not just surviving.

Mr. Barigye serves on the Boards of Directors of AFCA, Uganda Coffee Federation (UCF), and the National Coffee Research Institute. He possesses a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Post Graduate Diploma in Organizational Development, Post Graduate Diploma in Advocacy and Lobbying and a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies.

General Manager, Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Email: eceaoffice@gmail.com

Mr. Gizat Worku Kebede is a distinguished professional with a comprehensive background in economics and extensive managerial experience across various industries in Ethiopia.

He graduated from Addis Ababa University with degrees in Economics and Development Economics (RLDS – Regional & Local Development Studies). Currently, Mr. Kebede serves as the General Manager of the Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association, where he plays a crucial role in advancing Ethiopia’s coffee export sector.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Kebede held several key roles, including General Manager at Yheanu PLC, a sesame and pulses exporter (2015-2017), General Manager at Friendship Agro Industry PLC, overseeing poultry farm and animal feed production (2014-2015), and Commercial Manager and General Manager at Ambassador Garment PLC, a men’s suit manufacturer (2009-2013).

His career also includes significant contributions at the Ethiopian Postal Service as Corporate Planning and EMS Manager (2006-2009), Addis Ababa Messobo Cement Factory as Liaison Office Head (2004-2006), and Sirara Universal Trading as General Manager (2003).

Mr. Kebede’s early career saw him serve as Deputy General Manager at Amdehun General Trading (2000-2002) and as Marketing and Procurement Department Manager at Bure Baguna Mineral Water Factory (1997-2000). He began his professional journey at the National Bank of Ethiopia, where he served as Market Analyst and Foreign Exchange Auction Unit Head (1988-1997).

With his wealth of expertise and leadership across various sectors, Mr. Kebede continues to make significant contributions to Ethiopia’s economic development and the coffee industry.

Co-Founder and General Manager, Coffee Belt East Africa
Kayanza, Burundi
Email: fsebatigita@gmail.com

Mr. Ephrem Sebatigita comes from a long line of coffee farmers, spanning three generations, which instilled in him a deep-rooted passion for the coffee industry.

He officially entered the coffee sector in 1984 after completing his studies in Electronics Engineering in France, joining the Office du Café du Burundi (OCIBU). Since then, Mr. Sebatigita has played a pivotal role in various facets of the industry, managing coffee dry mills and washing stations owned by the government, private operators, and cooperatives throughout Burundi.

As a co-founder of Coffee Belt East Africa, Mr. Sebatigita focuses on the production and export of specialty coffees. He is particularly interested in exploring innovative coffee processing methods and is committed to training young people to engage them in the coffee industry. His commitment to excellence is underscored by his certifications as a Q Grader and Q Processing Instructor (Level 3) through the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), reflecting his expertise and passion for advancing coffee quality standards globally.

With decades of experience and a steadfast dedication to coffee excellence, Mr. Sebatigita continues to drive forward the advancement of coffee production in Burundi and beyond.

CEO, YOAN COFFEE ROASTERS sarl
Yaoundé, Cameroon
Email: yoancoffeeroasters@gmail.com 

Mr. Bertrand Gako’s journey in the coffee industry began in his childhood, inspired by the family heritage of coffee processing, exporting and roasting. An engineer by profession, he has devoted his career to promoting the Cameroonian coffee sector.

In 2011, Mr. Gako founded BRÛLERIE DU MOUNGO sarl, which is today called YOAN COFFEE ROASTERS, focused on the processing and quality of coffee. He is an active member of the College of Processors of the Interprofessional Cocoa and Coffee Council (CICC), contributing to the standards and development of the industry.

Additionally, Mr. Gako is the Managing Director of GKB FOODS INDUSTRY Sarl, an agribusiness company engaged in promoting local agricultural products. Since 2016, he has held the position of Secretary General of the Union of Cocoa and Coffee Processors of Cameroon (UT3C), defending the interests of local processing industries to public authorities.

Executive Director, Café Africa DRC
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Email: kamungele@gmail.com 

Mr. Kambale Kisumba Kamungele is a seasoned coffee specialist with over 20 years of experience in procurement, processing, and trading of green coffee. Currently serving as the Executive Director of Café Africa DRC, a non-profit organization committed to revitalizing the Congolese coffee industry, he brings a wealth of expertise to the sector.

Throughout his career, Mr. Kamungele has been a driving force behind numerous initiatives aimed at transforming the DRC coffee sector. He played a pivotal role in establishing the DRC Exporters’ Association (ASSECCAF) and has spearheaded projects to rehabilitate Robusta production in the western part of the DRC.

His dedication to promoting Congolese coffee on regional and international platforms has earned him recognition as a true ambassador for Congo Coffee. Mr. Kamungele holds a B.Sc. from Purdue University (Indiana, USA), an M.Sc. from Université Laval (Québec, Canada), and a Master’s in Coffee Economics and Science from the University of Trieste (Italy), underscoring his commitment to advancing coffee knowledge and sustainability practices within the industry.

Chief Executive Officer, Mzuzu Coffee Planters Cooperative Union Ltd.
Luwinga, Mzuzu, Malawi
Email: mdkngambi@mzuzucoffee.org 

Mr. Mackson Ng’ambi is a dynamic finance professional with over 10 years of expertise in accounting, auditing, and financial management. His extensive experience includes financial reporting, internal controls implementation, project management, and strategic business administration.

Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Mzuzu Coffee Planters Cooperative Union Ltd., Mr. Ng’ambi holds a BSc in Accounting and MSc. in Financial Management. He also acts as a Councilor for the Malawi Confederation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and is the Financial Advisor for the Seventh Day Adventist Church, North Malawi Conference. He has played a pivotal role in enhancing financial management practices by training cooperatives and SACCOS in Dwangwa and Mulanje under the UK Shared Interest Programme.

Mr. Ng’ambi’s commitment to professional development extends to training initiatives, having conducted workshops for over 20 accountants on topics including Pastel Accounting Systems, inventory management, financial reporting, and statutory accounts production.

His dedication to advancing the coffee industry and his strategic contributions underscore his role as Chairperson for the Malawi Chapter.

Head of Traditional Commodities Division,  National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB)
Kigali, Rwanda
Email: n.alexis@naeb.gov.rw

Mr. Nkurunziza Alexis holds a Master’s  in Agriculture and Applied Economics from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, with a background in agribusiness.

Currently, Mr. Alexis serves as the Head of the Traditional Commodities Division at the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) since August 2020. In this capacity, he oversees the regulation, service provision, and advocacy for four key commodities: coffee, tea, pyrethrum, and essential oils.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Alexis held positions of increasing responsibility at NAEB, including Zone Export Coordinator from August 2014 to June 2019, and Coffee Value Chain Specialist from July 2019 to August 2020. His extensive experience and expertise in agricultural economics and export management contribute significantly to the development and promotion of Rwanda’s agricultural exports.

Managing Director, I & M Smith (Pty) Limited
Ferndale, Randburg, South Africa
Email: info@iandmsmith.com  

Ms. Natasha Wallace is the Managing Director of I & M Smith (Pty) Ltd., a company with a long-standing trading history in southern Africa since 1915.  The company has an established network of suppliers and customers developed through decades of excellent service provision in the specialised field of coffee, tea as well as exclusively South African produced Rooibos and Honeybush. Ms. Wallace is supported by a seasoned management team, specializing in trade, finance, strategic risk management, logistics, organoleptic skills, human resources, sustainability, and information technology.

Ms. Wallace began her journey in the business more than 30 years ago. She has an extensive experience gained through organoleptic quality assurance training, trading, finance, logistics, human resources, and regulatory sector, complemented by travel and established connection to coffee and tea producer countries, as well as consumer markets. This experience continues to inform strategic decisions and foster collaboration within this specialized international industry, while the global perspective guided by the connection with origin countries and consumer markets and trends worldwide, is complemented by her deep connection to her home country, South Africa.

I & M Smith (Pty) Ltd. is committed to sustainability, being a member of organizations such as Fairtrade®, Rainforest Alliance™, Ecocert Organic, and World Coffee Research. The company also participates as members of Global Coffee Platform (GCP).  The company is a founding member of the Specialty Coffee Association of Southern Africa.  I & M Smith (Pty) Ltd. is a long standing and supportive member of AFCA, since the association’s inception.

Director and Coffee Consultant, Balmoral Farm
Lusaka, Zambia
Email: alan.shenda@gmail.com

Mr. Alan Zukas, educated in both Zambia and the United Kingdom, represents the second generation of his family’s coffee business on Balmoral Farm in Zambia. With over 25 years of experience in coffee cultivation, Mr. Zukas has successfully transitioned the farm from a focus on livestock and cash crops such as maize, wheat, cotton, and soya, to include commercial Arabica coffee production and export since 1995.

Under Mr. Zuka’s leadership, the coffee growing area on Balmoral Farm has expanded from three to 60 hectares. He established a wet processing plant in 1997 and a coffee mill in 1998, transforming the business into a profitable venture. As General Manager, Mr. Zukas was responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring all resources—human, technical, financial, and knowledge and training. He managed a staff of 50 permanent workers and up to 300 seasonal pickers. He also oversaw the farm-built wet processing plant, which handled de-pulping, fermenting, and drying of the coffee, and the micro-mill for hulling, cleaning, and grading parchment into a finished export product of graded green bean coffee.

In addition to his on-farm responsibilities, Mr. Zukas has collaborated with both the private and public sectors, as well as farmers’ trade and industry organizations. He is a former board member of the Zambia Coffee Growers Association (ZCGA) and currently serves as Director and Coffee Consultant for Balmoral Farm.