Gilbert Gatali is the Executive Director of the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) and a passionate advocate for Africa’s coffee sector, bringing over two decades of experience in specialty coffee leadership, trade, and sustainability.

Before joining AFCA, Gilbert held senior leadership roles in several prominent East African coffee companies, including CEO of KZ Noir Ltd, Managing Director of RWASHOSCCO Ltd, Founder and CEO of Roots Origin, and Relationship Manager at Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers (East Africa). His career has centered on connecting producers to markets, advancing quality-driven value chains, and promoting equitable trade across the continent.

Beyond his executive roles, Gilbert has served on multiple industry boards, including the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE), the Coffee Exporters Association of Rwanda, and AFCA itself. He currently serves on the Boards of the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), Equal Origins and Global Coffee Platform. Gilbert holds a degree in International Development Studies and Social-Cultural Anthropology from the University of Toronto.