We’ve been sourcing from Ethiopia since 2012, making it the country we import the largest volume of coffee from. The coffees we buy are vibrant and expressive, juicy, floral, fruity, and elegant. To access the very best lots, we rely on our dedicated team on the ground, involved in every step from farm to export.
Meet the Ethiopian Power Trio
We operate a representative office in Addis Ababa that is directly involved in every stage of the coffee cycle. Quality control is supervised closely by our on-the-ground team, who ensure each step is executed with care. This includes sharing data and protocols with producers, supporting improved processing practices, monitoring cherry selection, and managing sample selection throughout the harvest, from type samples to offer and pre-shipment samples. Continuous cupping happens both at origin and at our HQ in Oslo.
Our team also oversees milling, bagging, and export preparations. They supervise port transfers, documentation, and personally seal every container to ensure full control and clear traceability.
Adham, our Country Manager
Born in Ethiopia and raised in Texas, Adham returned in 2014 after his military service and quickly noticed a communication gap between buyers and exporters in coffee. His goal has been to bridge that gap ever since. As Country Manager, he leads sourcing, supplier relationships, and on-the-ground strategy. His favourite part of the job is developing well-measured projects with new suppliers. One example of how Adham has unlocked opportunities for Nordic Approach is the partnership with Highland Coffee, which led to the consistent purchase of exceptional natural Buku Abel lots.
Sisay, working as Quality Control Manager
Sisay, born and raised in Addis Ababa, oversees quality control across harvest and post-harvest stages at Nordic Approach. She manages cuppings at origin, selects samples, and maintains the feedback loop that ensures consistency and traceability, often spending the harvest season at washing stations to ensure only coffees meeting our profile and Grade 1 standards move forward. Sisay began her coffee journey in 2014 as a Lab Manager for an exporter, later becoming Head of Quality at 90 Plus Coffee before joining Nordic Approach in 2016. With long-standing relationships across suppliers, exporters, and warehouse managers, she brings deep expertise and trusted connections to her role.
Helen, coordinating Documentation & Logistics
Helen coordinates the logistics that move containers from the warehouse to the vessel, handling export documentation, port operations, and final cargo sealing. Her work ensures accurate documentation, full compliance, and reliable traceability. Originally from Addis Ababa, Helen previously worked at CMA-CGM, an international shipping line, and has been with Nordic Approach for nearly four years now. This is her first role in coffee, where she brings precision and dedication to every shipment.
How we work in Addis
Our Addis office balances speed with precision. During harvest, the team visits washing stations, follows processing closely, cups early, and selects the right sample types at the right stage. Larger volumes typically come from cooperatives and private washing stations, while smaller or more experimental lots come from individual producers or estates. Having a local team allows us to strengthen long-term partnerships while discovering new suppliers and profiles.
Helen shares a snapshot of a typical day in Addis Ababa: “I begin with a cup of coffee, check in with my colleagues Sisay and Adham, and then tackle emails and follow-ups. Much of my time goes into coordinating with suppliers, keeping clients updated, and ensuring all specialty coffee shipments stay on track.”
Our offices in Addis Ababa and Oslo complement each other, each focusing on different parts of the sourcing process. In Addis, the team maintains first-hand communication with suppliers, oversees quality control directly at washing stations and mills, and manages milling, bagging, and export preparations. Meanwhile, in Oslo, the team focuses on central cupping and purchase decisions, coordinates sample roasting and logistics, and handles customer support and commercial planning. Together, both offices work closely to ensure seamless coordination, from farm to final delivery.
What we look for in our Ethiopian Coffees
Ethiopia’s diversity of microclimates, heirloom varieties, and traditional processing creates a wide range of flavour profiles. Across most regions, smallholders pick ripe cherries by hand and deliver them to the nearest washing station, where milling and grading determine which coffees are exportable. We focus on clean, distinctive coffees, Grade 1 washed lots, naturals, and a growing number of experimental preparations. The harvest in Ethiopia usually runs from October to January, with shipments arriving between April and July.
Read more about Ethiopian Coffee Production and Heirloom here
Challenges, and what roasters should know
The biggest challenge our Ethiopian team faces right now is logistics, specifically securing containers at the right time. This makes early planning essential, both for sourcing and for booking lots ahead of time. Adham’s advice to roasters buying for the first time is simple: “Stay curious, ask us lots of questions, and plan ahead. Advance planning is your best weapon.”
And despite the challenges, Helen shares, “when the coffee we bought has departed and arrived on time, I am very happy! If it goes as planned, it’s the best feeling.”
Learn how to smoothen your logistics here and get to know our logistics dream duo with Hanna in Oslo and Helen in Ethiopia here.
Why our local presence matters
Having a permanent team in Addis gives us advantages we won’t compromise on.
Quality control at every stage Continuous sampling, cupping, and close monitoring of processing and milling.
Traceability & transparency Direct visits, controlled documentation, and export oversight ensure the coffee you cup in Oslo is exactly what lands in your warehouse.
Relationship building Long-standing partnerships with cooperatives, private stations, and exporters allow us to pre-contract, scale volumes, and secure the profiles roasters depend on.
If you want to meet the team in person, join one of our upcoming origin trips in early 2026 here. And if your are interested in the coffees, book your samples for your next cupping here.