Galani Coffee, a specialty roastery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, won the 2026 Global Coffee Awards Africa Edition on June 16, taking the overall title with the highest-scoring coffee in the competition, a washed Limu heirloom entered in the Espresso Single Origin category.
The Coffee
The winning coffee is a washed Limu heirloom, sourced through Moplaco Trading Co., the Addis Ababa-based green coffee export business owned by the same family that runs Galani. Moplaco has been exporting Ethiopian coffee since 1972 and has direct sourcing relationships across the country’s growing regions. Limu is a coffee-growing area in southwestern Ethiopia, known for producing bright, clean cups with floral and citrus character. Heirloom refers to the indigenous Ethiopian coffee varieties grown at many of the country’s higher-elevation farms, an ancestral mix of wild-occurring plants that predate modern selective breeding programs and remain largely unclassified by variety name.
In the washed process, the fruit is stripped from the cherry before drying, producing a cleaner, more transparent cup that puts the coffee’s intrinsic character at the front. Galani roasted the Limu for espresso and submitted it to the Espresso Single Origin category, where it scored highest in the Africa edition.
Where to Buy
Galani Coffee operates five café locations in Addis Ababa, founded in 2016 with a focus on showcasing Ethiopian coffee through third-wave brewing and roasting methods. At the time of writing, Galani does not have an international online shop. Their coffee is served in-café and through local delivery in Addis Ababa. Visitors to Ethiopia can find them at locations across the city.
The Win
The Global Coffee Awards is an independent world roasting championship organized by Perfect Daily Grind and Coffee Intelligence. Regional editions run throughout the year, covering Africa, MENA, Europe, and coffee-producing countries, with all Gold, Silver, and Bronze category winners advancing to the annual World Championship. The Africa edition, held June 16, drew roasters from across the continent, with Galani’s Limu entry earning the highest score of any coffee submitted.
Galani’s president, Heleanna Georgalis, described the result as part of a broader ambition: “We’re honoured to have submitted the highest-scoring coffee at the GCA Africa edition. As an Ethiopian company, we strive to not only have the most exceptional coffee in Africa, but internationally.” Kenya’s Spring Valley Coffee also received top honours in the competition.