Ethiopian coffee entered Pakistan’s café scene on Sunday with the launch of the first dedicated Ethiopian coffee café in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Ethiopian coffee arrives in Islamabad as first Habesha Café opens in twin cities
ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): Ethiopian coffee entered Pakistan’s café scene on Sunday with the launch of the first dedicated Ethiopian coffee café in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The opening ceremony, led by Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba, highlighted cultural links and growing people-to-people connections between the two countries.
The new café, named Habesha, was inaugurated in the presence of members of the Ethiopian community, embassy officials and media representatives. The event began with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, introducing guests to one of Ethiopia’s most recognized cultural traditions.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Ambassador Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba said the opening marked the arrival of Ethiopian coffee in Pakistan through the first café of its kind in the twin cities.
He noted that Ethiopia is widely known as the birthplace of Arabica coffee and described the launch as an opportunity to share the country’s heritage with Pakistani consumers.
The ambassador said the project carries added importance because it is owned by an Ethiopian-Pakistani couple, reflecting growing ties between the people of both nations.
He added that the café’s name, Habesha, is linked to Ethiopia’s historic identity and is familiar to many Pakistanis due to their respect for Hazrat Bilal Habashi (R.A.) and King Nejashi, who provided refuge to early Muslim migrants during the First Hijra.
Dr. Oba also emphasized the need to strengthen cultural exchanges and people-to-people engagement between Ethiopia and Pakistan. He said such initiatives can help expand understanding and cooperation beyond official relations.
Café owner Naeem Hashmi said Habesha aims to serve as a meeting point where people from both countries can learn about each other’s culture, art, music and tourism.
He said the café will help introduce Ethiopian traditions to Pakistani visitors while promoting closer cultural interaction between the two nations.
