Africa Brew Brief Events · London
The Origin Cup
African Coffee. Curated Networking.
Africa Brew Brief hosts curated events in London that put African origins at the centre of serious conversation, genuine connection and commercial opportunity. Our flagship is The Origin Cup: London's only monthly premium coffee and networking experience built entirely around African coffee origins.
Next session · Session 4
Uganda
Mount Elgon & Rwenzori Mountains
Friday, 30 October 2026 · 11:00 to 14:00
Central London
19 of 20 seats left
£2.4bn+
UK specialty coffee market, growing about 9% a year
4,000+
independent coffee shops in London
12%
of the world's coffee is grown in Africa
20
guests maximum per session, strictly curated
How we host
Intimate. Exclusive. Purposeful.
"Africa produces 12% of the world's coffee. It receives a fraction of the margin, the story, and the credit. The Origin Cup exists to change that narrative, one cup at a time."Wilbert Chaniwa, CEO, Africa One Group
01
Curated, not crowded
A maximum of 20 hand-selected guests per session, chosen for a productive mix of expertise and commercial perspective.
02
Origin-led
Each month features one African coffee nation: its terroir, its farmers, its trade data and its cup.
03
Commercially purposeful
Roasters, buyers, importers, investors and diplomats in one room, with real conversations about supply and opportunity.
04
Every last Friday
A three-hour daytime experience in central London, 11:00 to 14:00, from June 2026 to July 2027.
The experience
A structured, multi-sensory journey
- 11:00
Arrival & registration
Welcome coffee, a curated African pastry and snack pairing, informal introductions.
- 11:15
Origin deep-dive
A 20-minute briefing on the featured country: geography, farming communities, processing, trade context and export dynamics.
- 11:35
The cupping
A guided cupping of 3 to 4 lots from the origin, hosted by a specialist coffee professional, with tasting notes, scoring and producer stories.
- 12:25
Moderated discussion
A facilitated conversation on the origin's market opportunities, its challenges and the UK trade landscape.
- 12:55
Networking lunch
Purposeful introductions over a light, African-inspired lunch. The room is curated for productive connection.
- 14:00
Close & Origin Dossier
Every guest leaves with a premium printed Origin Dossier on the country, its varietals and its trade data.
Calendar · June 2026 to July 2027
Thirteen origins. One last Friday a month.
No session in August 2026. The December session moves to 18 December for the festive season.
Inaugural Session
Ethiopia
Yirgacheffe & Sidama, Oromia
Birthplace of coffee. Explore washed & natural processed Yirgacheffe with complex florals; Sidama's juicy stone fruit profiles.
Market context. Ethiopia remains the world's 5th largest coffee producer and the origin that defined specialty coffee globally.
Session 2
Rwanda
Nyamasheke, Huye & Rulindo Districts
Rwanda's 'Land of a Thousand Hills' produces some of Africa's most celebrated washed coffees with distinctive red berry and brown sugar profiles.
Market context. Rwanda's specialty export volume has grown 47% in 5 years; the government targets doubling coffee export value by 2030.
Session 3
Kenya
Kirinyaga, Nyeri & Murang'a Counties
The SL28 and SL34 varietals from central Kenya are iconic. Blackcurrant, tomato, and bright acidity that no other origin replicates.
Market context. Kenya's AA and AB grades consistently achieve the highest prices at East African auctions. Growing interest in natural processing.
Session 4
Uganda
Mount Elgon & Rwenzori Mountains
Africa's most underrated origin. Natural Robustas from Elgon and washed Arabicas from Rwenzori, a full-bodied, chocolatey revelation.
Market context. Uganda is Africa's 2nd largest coffee exporter by volume. Specialty tier is rapidly growing with over 80 washing stations now operational.
Session 5
Ghana
Volta Region & Kwahu Highlands
Best known for cocoa, Ghana's small but fast-emerging coffee sector offers a smooth, mild-bodied Arabica with gentle nutty, cocoa-adjacent sweetness.
Market context. A government-backed tree crop diversification programme is reviving coffee alongside cocoa, with smallholder cooperatives beginning to target specialty export grades.
Session 6 · Festive Edition
Tanzania
Kilimanjaro, Mbeya & Kigoma Regions
The slopes of Kilimanjaro produce washed and natural coffees with winey, full-bodied character. Peaberry lots are especially prized.
Market context. Tanzania is positioning itself as a single-origin destination; estate and cooperative models are expanding premium export pipelines.
Session 7 · New Year Launch
Cameroon
Western Highlands & Mount Cameroon
Arabica from Cameroon's highlands offers a rare West African specialty profile: earthy, full-bodied, with pleasant nutty and spiced notes.
Market context. Cameroon is the only significant West African Arabica producer. The government has invested in a national coffee renaissance strategy.
Session 8
Nigeria
Mambilla Plateau
Nigeria's Mambilla Plateau coffees are emerging as a continental sensation: bold, tropical, and story-rich, grown at over 1,600m in the country's highest terrain.
Market context. Nigeria's domestic specialty coffee market is the fastest growing in Africa, with renewed government interest in Mambilla's Arabica potential.
Session 9
Burundi
Kayanza, Ngozi & Kirundo Provinces
Often described as Rwanda's quieter sibling, Burundian coffees share the deep red fruit notes with a distinctive earthy complexity.
Market context. Burundi's specialty coffee sector has attracted significant NGO and private investment; washing station quality is rapidly improving.
Session 10
Malawi
Shire Highlands & Misuku Hills
Malawi's estate-grown coffees are rich and complex, often described as the 'African Colombia', beautifully balanced with honeyed sweetness.
Market context. Malawi's Geisha variety is gaining international recognition. Estate farming model ensures consistency and traceability.
Session 11
Congo (DRC)
Kivu Region & Ituri Province
One of the world's most exciting and underserved origins. Kivu produces coffees of extraordinary complexity: sweet, spiced, deeply aromatic.
Market context. DRC coffee is gaining global traction among specialty buyers. Peace-building initiatives and co-operatives are unlocking commercial potential.
Session 12
Zambia
Muchinga Escarpment & Northern Province
Zambia's coffee is the continent's best-kept secret. Grown at high altitude in red clay soils, producing a refined, delicate cup with citrus clarity.
Market context. Zambia's specialty sector is emerging rapidly. Several international roasters have visited and secured direct-trade agreements.
Session 13 · Anniversary Edition
Zimbabwe
Honde Valley & Chimanimani Mountains
Zimbabwean coffee has a storied history and is experiencing a renaissance. Full-bodied with winey notes and excellent natural processing quality.
Market context. Zimbabwe is targeting re-entry into specialty markets after years of disruption. Honde Valley estates are producing award-quality lots.
August 2027 · Sister event
Africa Coffee Festival London
The UK's first dedicated festival celebrating African coffee culture, trade and origin. Season Pass holders get priority access and discounted entry.
Who should attend
Convened for people who move coffee, capital and culture
Specialty Coffee Roaster
Origin knowledge, producer stories and UK-Africa trade intelligence to feature African lots year-round.
Café Owner / Operator
Certified origin stories, plus the roasters and importers who can give your menu an African coffee identity.
Green Bean Importer / Trader
Stay ahead of emerging origins and fast-track relationships with buyers and origin representatives.
Africa-Focused Investor / Fund
The agribusiness and commodity landscape of producing nations, before the broader market catches up.
African High Commission / Trade Body
Promote your country's coffee sector directly to UK industry, with co-branded origin sessions.
Food, Beverage & Hospitality Professional
Expand your palate, your supply-chain knowledge and your London F&B network.
Supermarket Retail Buyer
Origin intelligence and supplier relationships to range African single-origin coffee ahead of competitors.
Supply Chain & Logistics Professional
Meet the roasters and importers who need freight, customs, port and compliance expertise.
Brand Marketer / Communications Leader
Understand the Africa opportunity through the continent's most globally resonant export story.
Premium Consumer / Coffee Enthusiast
More than a tasting: a genuine education in the world's most compelling coffee origins.
Register
Reserve your seat at The Origin Cup
Pick your ticket, your session and your participation category, then pay securely by card. Every session is strictly capped at 20 guests, so early booking is advised.
All prices exclude VAT. Group and multi-session discounts on request: admin@africabrewbrief.com
Sponsorship & partnership
Put your brand, or your country, at the centre of the cup
Origin Partner Sponsorship
£3,500 / year
- Presenting sponsor of a named session
- Your branding across the session and its materials
- 5 seats
- Press inclusion
- Featured in Africa Brew Brief and the Origin Cup newsletter
Origin Country Partnership
Price on application
- For embassies, trade boards and government bodies
- A session co-branded with your country, e.g. 'The Ethiopia Edition'
- Address 20 influential UK industry professionals directly
- Digital and print materials with your coffee sector data and export contacts
- Inclusion in Africa Brew Brief's UK-Africa trade communications
Corporate Tables & Season Passes
From £237 per session
- 3-seat tables with preferred seating and co-branded materials
- Corporate Season Pass: 3 seats at every session, £1,320 / year
- Your logo on all event collateral
- LinkedIn mentions after each event
- Send different team members to build origin expertise
Not ready to book?
Join the Origin Cup list
Get each month's origin, programme and seat count about two weeks before the session, plus first access to Africa Coffee Festival London.
Owned by
Africa One Group
In partnership with
Africa Global Agribusiness Partners
Marketed & coordinated by
Africa Brew Brief
Contact
admin@africabrewbrief.com