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Kenyan-born entrepreneur Vava Angwenyi is a specialty coffee exporter, producer and roaster. She founded Vava Coffee Inc, which is B-Corp Certified entity and later co-founded Gente Del Futuro with a Tanzania-based Colombian partner, with the mission of having a meaningful impact on the monopolized coffee trade in East Africa.

This episode takes us deep into the rich tapestry of the African coffee industry, as Vava recounts her personal journey and the transformative initiatives she's launched. Vava’s passion for coffee is not just about savoring its taste. She's dedicated to educating local youth about the industry, empowering them with practical skills and opening doors of opportunity.

Her story takes us through the rough terrains of global trade standards, shedding light on how they shape the continent's coffee sector. We also discuss  how colonial legacy lingers in  Africa's coffee consumption habits and highlight how the Gente del Futuro project is having a positive impact on this factor and unlocking other areas of  potential within the African coffee industry. Through education, Gente del Futuro is addressing unemployment, elevating women and girls' exposure to the coffee industry and serves as a career launchpad into the industry young people.

We celebrate the opening of the first-ever coffee house in Lamu, a historic milestone in promoting agriculture and coffee. Wrapping up our discussion, we explore the role of ancestral wisdom in decision-making and the profound influence of authenticity in our lives. And don't miss out on hearing about Vava’s book 'Coffee, Milk, Blood' - a celebration of African culture and Vava's journey in the coffee industry. So, are you ready for a cup of brewed insights?

LINKS AND MENTIONS

Vava Coffee Inc. - https://www.vavacoffeeinc.com

Kuijenga - a Vava Coffee project showcasing their impact work in Lamu, Kenya - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmrdTvPrkgs

Coffee Milk Blood - An insider's view of Kenya's coffee industry - https://www.coffeemilkblood.com/new-products-1/swahili-soul-event-lamu 

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