AP-Araku Coffee MOU to Launch 100 Women Outlets

By: WE Staff | Friday, 1 May 2026

• Andhra partners Araku Coffee to launch 100 women-led outlets
• 100 women-led Araku Coffee outlets planned
• Financial aid and training support for women

A key moment in terms of women's empowerment in Andhra Pradesh was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the Mission for the Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) with Native Araku Coffee Private Limited.

The MOU was signed under the guidance of the Mission Director Vakati Karuna, and aims to create job and business opportunities for urban women, SHG Members, economically-disadvantaged women, and aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Some of the MOU's significant provisions include creating Araku Valley Coffee Shops in every district using a franchise model, establishing two coffee shops in every district over the next two years, and identifying and training women entrepreneurs for job and business opportunities.

MEPMA will provide financial support from government programs to women entrepreneurs, creating an overall strategic plan for two years. Native Araku Coffee Pvt Ltd will provide guidance to women entrepreneurs, arrange exposure visits for MEPMA staff, create new opportunities to grow their businesses, and support monitoring and evaluation of their performance.

The financial plan for a 10x15/10x20 outlet is for Rs 5,90,000 and for an e-vehicle based mobile coffee business is Rs.10,00,000. Women-owned businesses will be able to apply for loans and subsidies under PMFME and PMEGP.

The first phase of the plan involves establishing 100 coffee outlets owned by women. Regular quarterly review meetings and the establishment of a steering committee, under the supervision of the mission director, will be held. Native Araku Coffee will provide a dedicated team to support real-time project implementation. The agreement between both parties will last two years, but may be renewed upon mutual agreeme