When Evans Jonas Maleo, a barista and founder of Kahawa Studio in Dar es Salaam, struggled to consistently deliver the perfect cup, he knew it was time to go deeper. Lacking a full understanding of coffee profiles, Evans joined the MARKUP II-supported SCA Roasting Foundation and Intermediate Level Training — and it changed everything.
Now equipped with modern roasting skills and SCA certification, Evans is ready to:
- Craft unique, high-quality coffee profiles;
- Train other youth in the coffee value chain; and
- Add real value to Tanzanian coffee through his café.
He wants to become one of Africa’s leading roasters, and he’s not alone.
Of the 19 trainees, 11 were under the age of 35, showing the growing youth interest in specialty coffee. All participants passed both certification levels — a major step for coffee quality and career development in Tanzania.
The SCA Roasting Program is designed to transform how businesses approach roasting. By focusing on quality and consistency, it helps participants increase the value of their coffee, retain customers, and tap into premium markets. It’s part of a broader effort to strengthen the coffee value chain in East Africa through skills development, youth engagement, and entrepreneurship.
