{"id":12206,"date":"2025-01-10T00:54:07","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T15:54:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/typica.coffee\/en\/?post_type=producers&p=12206"},"modified":"2025-05-12T13:32:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T04:32:28","slug":"daye-bensa-coffee","status":"publish","type":"producers","link":"https:\/\/typica.coffee\/en\/narratives\/producers\/daye-bensa-coffee\/","title":{"rendered":"Daye Bensa Coffee"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In the three years from 2020 through 2022, Daye Bensa Coffee earned a spot in the top 10 at the Cup of Excellence six times. With a deep understanding of the unique traits and flavor profiles of each of its washing stations, the Ethiopian coffee company has built a reputation for offering high-quality coffee \u2013 from premium to high-end grades \u2013 while elevating the Sidama region\u2019s brand. Their active presence on social media and strategic marketing efforts have paid off, with demand for their Grade 1 beans, which account for 30% of their green coffee, far outstripping supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 1996, Daye Bensa purchases cherries from over 2,500 farmers \u2013 primarily in Sidama, its birthplace \u2013 and operates 71 washing stations. In the past few years, the company has expanded into Guji and Yirgacheffe, with further plans to branch out not only into other parts of Ethiopia but also other African countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke with Kenean Assefa Dukamo, the founder\u2019s 29-year-old son, who leads the company\u2019s growth strategy with a focus on promotion and marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Empowering farmers toward independence<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Locally owned and organized coffee exporters are rare in many producing countries, including Ethiopia. Often lacking the capital, infrastructure, and expertise to challenge larger foreign competitors, they struggle to scale. Against this backdrop, Daye Bensa stands out in its pursuit of a sustainable model that prioritizes both quality and production efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daye Bensa has already developed software to centralize traceability, quality control, and yield management, and they are currently building an IT system to oversee every one of their washing stations. This centralized approach ensures consistent and efficient operations across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daye Bensa\u2019s expansion strategies are just as robust. One example is a free membership program for coffee farmers, offering various perks \u2013 bonuses, technical training, new seedlings, and even school supplies for their children. All farmers must do is supply their coffee solely to Daye Bensa and register details like farm size and address, making membership almost a no-brainer.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Some initiatives are designed to be temporary. For example, Daye Bensa offered a two-year healthcare program in which the company covered farmers\u2019 insurance costs, allowing them to access certain medical services for free. Kenean <\/strong>explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur aim was for farmers to understand the value of paying for healthcare themselves. Once they recognize the benefits during this period, they have an incentive to continue their insurance. We see our role as providing information and choices so they can make better decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several farmers who joined Daye Bensa from the start have since begun exporting their own coffee. Benefiting from buyer introductions and market insights, they have achieved full independence.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Central to Daye Bensa\u2019s roots is Kenean\u2019s grandfather, Dukamo, an entrepreneur who sold everything from flowers to coffee. Whenever he spotted a new business opportunity, he showcased its potential by starting it himself, encouraging others in his village to follow suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dukamo also deeply believed in the power of education, not only promoting its importance but using a portion of his profits to provide scholarships for children from low-income families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy grandfather used to say, \u2018It\u2019s difficult to build a big business or change your life without proper education \u2013 even if you\u2019re employed by a company.\u2019 If he hadn\u2019t encouraged my father and uncle to go to the city for better schooling, our family\u2019s path would have been entirely different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Daye Bensa continues this emphasis on education by prioritizing the hiring and training of university graduates from coffee-farming families. Since small-scale farms alone may not be financially viable, the company offers these young people opportunities to work on larger farms or within Daye Bensa itself.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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Recognizing coffee\u2019s potential<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kenean\u2019s father, Assefa, originally dabbled in multiple businesses like his own father. But, born and raised in Sidama \u2013 a region reliant on coffee \u2013 he chose at age 20 to focus solely on purchasing and processing cherries alongside his brother, Mulugeta. By 2006, they ventured into coffee exports to form direct buyer relationships and streamline sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome people get so caught up in business success that they neglect their families, while others do the opposite. But my father always maintained balance. He\u2019s a deeply religious man who still goes to church every Sunday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s never forced or imposed anything on me. He\u2019s always respected my decisions, which, along with our close age difference of just 20 years, makes him not only a mentor but also a close friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Kenean has clearly inherited the entrepreneurial spirit of his father and grandfather. While attending university in the US in 2015, he joined Daye Bensa and worked on expanding its network of buyers among importers and roasters in the US and Europe. After returning to Ethiopia, he focused on growing the specialty coffee market, targeting countries like South Korea. He also spearheaded diverse projects such as developing IT systems and enhancing the company\u2019s content creation through professional photography, video, and writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally, Kenean had not planned to fully devote himself to coffee. As a computer science major, he aspired to work for an IT firm and eventually launch a startup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That all changed when his father asked him, \u201cCould you help Daye Bensa for two years first? You can still pursue IT afterward.\u201d This pivotal suggestion led Kenean back to Ethiopia, defining his path forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCoffee plays such an important role in Ethiopia\u2019s economy, yet there\u2019s little innovation in the industry. Most people just follow traditional practices without pushing boundaries. But that also means there\u2019s so much room for improvement and progress. Plus, with the foundation my family has built, the potential is limitless.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Inspiring Ethiopians through coffee<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Beyond Daye Bensa, Kenean also hosts a podcast called MERI<\/a>, featuring interviews with over 100 successful Ethiopian entrepreneurs. Because the content is primarily for Ethiopians, it\u2019s in Amharic, but it has still racked up over 10 million views on YouTube. Many of the patrons at Dukamo Coffee<\/a>, the specialty coffee caf\u00e9 he opened in Addis Ababa and Hawassa, first discovered him through the podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been curious and eager to learn, but I started the podcast after hitting numerous challenges myself when I came back to Ethiopia. Cultural differences and other hurdles often left me stuck, so I turned to interviews for insight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kenean didn\u2019t just listen to the stories he collected through the podcast; he applied what he learned to Daye Bensa. For example, he implemented new recruitment strategies to attract talented individuals, training programs to nurture their skills, and monthly leadership meetings to align the company\u2019s vision. This commitment to reform, rather than settling into a successor\u2019s role, sets Kenean apart in Ethiopia\u2019s highly competitive coffee industry.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI recently published a book about Ethiopian coffee, mainly aimed at producers. My hope is that it will encourage them to reconsider how they market their coffee and the stories they tell about it, ultimately lifting the industry as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve always enjoyed problem-solving \u2013 it\u2019s part of what motivates me. Whether in IT or coffee, I find joy in discovering innovative approaches and sharing that spark with others. People often say that once you\u2019re in the coffee world, it\u2019s impossible to leave. I couldn\u2019t agree more. Before I knew it, coffee became my passion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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