Elite Café helps youth to explore coffee market potentials through barista training 

The Inspirer.

Helping high school graduates and youth to tap into the coffee market through barista training at Elite Café could provide several benefits, including employment opportunities, equipping individuals with valuable skills sought after in the coffee industry.

It can open doors to employment opportunities in coffee shops, cafes, and even international chains, offering a viable career path.

The training also boosts youth entrepreneurial skills, as some trained individuals might choose to start their coffee-related businesses, such as opening a café or coffee stand. This empowers them to become entrepreneurs and contribute to the local economy.

The training also provides insights into the coffee industry, including the sourcing, roasting, brewing, and serving of coffee.

This knowledge can be valuable in various career paths within the coffee sector.

Barista training hones skills like customer service, teamwork, attention to detail, and the art of making various coffee beverages, enhancing participants’ overall skill set.

The initiative of offering training opportunities to high school graduates and youth empowers them by providing practical skills that can lead to self-sustainability and personal growth.

Community Impact

Investing in the training and development of young individuals can positively impact the community by creating a skilled workforce and fostering economic growth.

Elite Café’s commitment to providing barista training can be a transformative step in nurturing talent, fostering entrepreneurship, and contributing to the growth of the local coffee industry while empowering the younger generation.

Kim Gakumba NGABONZIZA, one of the trainees at Elite Café told The Inspirer that he was motivated by his parents to acquire training in the coffee barista profession. He got such advice when he finished secondary school in Telecommunication studies.

“Some of the packages of my academic studies include a business portfolio, I have a dream to roast coffee and shape this business such that it can help me to develop economically and help my family as well as my country through tax revenues. I also want to continue my studies at university, using resources from baristas and coffee-related businesses,” Gakumba said.

Benigne Umuhoza, another trained young lady said: “ I learned about the idea of Elite Café from my colleague, she connected me to this initiative and I have now gained my certificate after a two-month training session, I paid for all the facilities myself to acquire such skills in barista business, and my dream is to invest in this industry as a passion, and it complements my academic background in Tourism and hospitality, thanks to Elite Café,”

Ismael Kwihangana who is in charge of lessons at Elite Café said that they have achieved three years in barista industry and almost six years in hospitality, he explains the benefits of coffee and how foreign people had inspired them to establish home-grown solutions by encouraging coffee consumption and value chain development to benefit Rwandans and cultivate the love of coffee starting from youth.

“When our students have achieved a two-month training in barista, we provide them with a two-week internship in one of our three branches of Elite Café so that they get ready for the labour market, we train the youth of different academic backgrounds, either universities or high school graduates, 75 percent of our trainees get jobs in barista and coffee businesses, so far, we have sent 40 baristas abroad as employees and they brand Rwanda Coffee and the country as well. Some graduates think of their businesses, and some have opened coffee shops around Kigali city.” Kwihangana said.

According to Elias Muneza, founder of Elite Café, 250 young boys and girls have been trained since they started the initiative in April 2022.

“It has been 1 year and a half since we started to train students, among the 250 trained, 150 got jobs in Rwanda and abroad, and 50 graduates created their jobs and other activities in relationship with the coffee business, the barista is a new opportunity that adds value to youth academic package,” Muneza said.

He encourages Rwandans to drink and share coffee as other kinds of drinks even in social parties and ceremonies. “I can say that now, the coffee sector is at a good level in Rwanda, when we offer you a cup of coffee, we offer you experience, taste, and full potential, the different coffee styles we prepare are not talent, but the skills that can support current talents of youth. We aim to transform service delivery in this Hospitality sub-sector,” Muneza added. 

Elite Café’s commitment to training and empowering the youth through the barista program demonstrates a dedication to fostering skill development, entrepreneurship, and growth within Rwanda’s coffee industry.

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