Islamabad, August 30, 2026: Ethiopian coffee has made its debut in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi with the inauguration of the first dedicated Ethiopian coffee cafe, offering a new platform for cultural exchange and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Ethiopia.
Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba inaugurated the cafe on Sunday following a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony attended by members of the Ethiopian community, embassy officials and representatives of the media.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, the ambassador highlighted the growing bilateral relationship between Ethiopia and Pakistan and described the opening as an important cultural milestone.
He said the cafe represented the first dedicated Ethiopian coffee outlet in the twin cities and would introduce Pakistanis to Ethiopia’s longstanding coffee culture.
“From the birthplace of humankind to the home of Arabica coffee, Ethiopia is called the Land of Origins for all the right reasons,” the ambassador remarked.
He said the cafe’s ownership by an Ethiopian-Pakistani couple added further significance to the initiative, describing it as a reflection of the growing friendship and fraternity between the two countries.
The cafe has been named “Habasha”, a historic name associated with Ethiopia that also carries special significance for Muslims in Pakistan because of the country’s connection with Hazrat Bilal Habashi (R.A.) and King Nejashi, who provided refuge to the earliest Muslim migrants during the First Hijra.
The ambassador said such cultural initiatives could play an important role in strengthening people-to-people contacts and developing a deeper understanding between the two nations.
He reaffirmed his commitment to promoting closer bilateral cooperation, particularly through cultural exchanges and initiatives that bring the people of Pakistan and Ethiopia closer together.
Cafe owner Naeem Hashmi said the establishment was intended to serve as more than a coffee shop, providing a platform for Pakistanis and Ethiopians to discover and appreciate each other’s art, culture, music and tourism.
He said the initiative aimed to create a space where the two countries could share their cultural heritage while encouraging greater interaction between their communities.
