The CAFÉ (French-Ethiopian Business Club in Ethiopia), a club of French companies present or wishing to establish themselves in Ethiopia, aims to animate the French business community in Ethiopia and assist them in their project development. The CAFE was created to respond to the need for a platform for networking and information exchange between French companies.
The CAFE has been officially registered with the Ethiopian authorities since October 2017 and has over thirty members from different sectors (agri-food, energy, transport, logistics, automotive, engineering, tourism, health, automotive, catering, hotels, agriculture ...) and believes the number of its members will double quickly.
CAFÉ services to members fall into the following areas:
Information - Members receive standard and specific information on how to set up and run a business in Ethiopia (licensing, taxation, employment and customs issues ...) and on draft laws and regulatory amendments. Members are also kept informed by a press review.
Dialogue - A specific study allowing members to detail the problems and obstacles encountered is collected by the CAFE in order to agree on the most effective strategies and actions to mitigate the possible negative impacts on their investments. This study is submitted to the competent authorities as part of our institutionalized dialogue with other chambers of commerce.
Events - The CAFE organizes regular activities throughout the year: Afterworks with specific themes, lunches with specialized participants of Ethiopia, breakfasts at the Embassy of France.
The CAFE Board is composed of:
- Olivier Poujade (East Africa Gate), President,
- Odile Roudaut (SYSTRA) and Bernard Laurendeau (Laurendeau & Associates), vice-presidents,
- Hervé Duranton (Awash Wine), treasurer
- Amakeletch Teferi-Bel (Teferi Bel Business PLC), secretary.
Executive Director:
- Messaye Fetene