Faysel Abdosh is the founder and CEO of Testi Coffee, which ranks among Ethiopia's top 10 coffee exporting companies. Testi Coffee operates a network of over 27 coffee-producing sites across Ethiopia.

Faysel Abdosh was born in Benchi Maji, Ethiopia. He began his entrepreneurial journey with 2,500 ETB received from his mother during high school, initially entering the food oil supply business and gradually transitioning to the gold trade after amassing 10,000 ETB. Despite dabbling in retail and pharmacy ventures, Faysel ultimately entered the coffee industry, and he worked as a coffee supplier in the local coffee industry for 7 to 8 years until 2010 E.C. He then transitioned to exporting, and specializing in specialty coffee export around 2020.

Specialty Coffee

Faysel described specialty coffee as its name suggests: special, highlighting its recognition of the meticulous preparation level of the coffee. He began his specialty coffee journey by purchasing a single coffee-making site from Guji Shakiso and selling his first specialty coffee to a client in Holland, Amsterdam. Faysel stressed that the quality of coffee depends on factors such as soil type and altitude, with Ethiopia's altitude of over 1,800 meters contributing to high-quality beans.

The Ethiopian Coffee Sector

Faysel asserts that Ethiopian coffee has garnered global attention in the last 7 to 8 years, with even starting a trend towards selling smaller-sized coffees. He acknowledges the quality of Ethiopian premium coffee in the market, attributing it to the high-altitude coffee beans, especially from Sidama. 

Client or The Coffee First

However, Faysel concedes that marketing and finding clients are difficult tasks in the sector. He mentioned, 'Resources take precedence over the client or buyer, as it's challenging to source the coffee after securing a client.'Venturing into the coffee business without a thorough grasp of the complete supply chain poses a significant risk.

Faysel recommends exporters avoid sending pre-shipment samples and delivering different coffee than what was promised to clients, as it can harm the brand's reputation, and prioritizing quality is important in building a brand in the coffee exporting sector. It's preferable to declare a product sold out rather than attempting to fulfill orders with only a sample. Faysel advises newcomers entering the coffee business not to focus solely on profit and importing because trust between clients and exporters is essential in this industry.

Privatization in the Coffee Sector

With Ethiopia opening its doors to international businesses, Faysel underscores that local brands should not fear competing with them. He suggests the potential for Ethiopian brands to thrive globally, citing Keffa Coffee as an example.

The Ethiopian government needs to encourage businesses to expand internationally to maintain competitiveness. This involves facilitating and enabling enterprises to operate globally by providing necessary financial support and assistance, while also supporting their local businesses.

As Testi Coffee gains a larger presence globally, Faysel plans to enter the international market. His long-term goal includes establishing coffee businesses in the USA, Europe, and Asia.

Leadership

Faysel does not believe in micromanagement and excessive meetings. He prefers addressing problems directly and providing mechanisms to solve them, rather than relying on frequent meetings. He said, "Excessive meetings will lead to miscommunication." 

Life Wisdom

Faysel's life exemplifies the significance of persistence and hard work in transforming one's life. He believes that the opportunities given by God can make a difference only when individuals take responsibility and work diligently to achieve their goals. Faysel asserts dedicating time and effort to the right pursuits can lead to significant progress along the way. 

Faysel said, ‘It's crucial to be eager to turn problems into opportunities.’ He notes that the challenge lies in the tendency of people to dwell on problems rather than seek solutions.

Thank you for taking the time to read! To explore further insights from Faysel Abdosh, simply Click Here and enjoy the entire podcast.