Andrew Rugasira is the Founder and CEO of Good African Coffee, an African-based social enterprise that brings quality coffees to the global market. Prior to founding Good African Coffee, Andrew was the CEO of VR Promotions, Ltd., Uganda’s leading promotions and events management company, which was featured in president Bill Clinton’s 1998 tour of Africa. Andrew was nominated the Young Global Leader 2007 by the World Economic Forum and remains an established leader in economic development. He graduated with honors from the University of London, and lives in Kampala, Uganda, with his wife Jacqueline and their children.
Notes follow…
- What do you think of when you hear the word Africa? Poverty, AIDS, conflict?
- I think of a global company wanting to invest billions to harvest the sun’s energy in the Sahara. I think of a people resourceful enough to live on one dollar a day.
- A look back at history… European countries basically divided up Africa to exploit its natural resources. Colonialism still affects Africa today.
- Wants to change the narrative of Africa.
- Went to train farmers in order to raise the quality of the coffee. Farmers were suspect at first.
- Integrity is being truthful about what you need to do to get out of a difficult situation.
- Want to focus on trade rather than aid to bring about change.
- Look at the US, UK, China. No country in the world has developed by hand-outs.
- In 2005 launched first coffee brand in U.K. after 14 trips from Uganda.
- We need to change the way we view Africa – as consumers, partners.
- Between 1970 and 2000 Africa received $400B in aid. In 1995, the year when aid was at its highest, per capita GDP was lowest.
- Aid undermines accountability. Tanzania spent a lot of time generating reports and doing meetings rather than creating jobs.
- Aid creates dependency and undermines dignity.
- You can make a difference by buying an African garment, coffee, tea, music.
- The best way to help us (Africans) take care of our people is through trade.