Geneva, Switzerland —Uganda has claimed the top spot as the continent’s leading coffee exporter, surpassing Ethiopia in May 2025 with a record-breaking 47,606.7 tonnes exported.
This achievement marks a 43.59% year-on-year increase and has propelled Uganda’s annual coffee export value past the USD 2 billion mark, underscoring the nation’s strong commitment to quality, innovation, and value addition in the coffee sector.
Uganda’s rise is part of a broader regional effort to transform the coffee industry through the EU-EAC MARKUP II project, a European Union–funded initiative implemented in collaboration with national coffee institutions in Rwanda (NAEB), Burundi (ODECA), Kenya (KCD), Tanzania (TCB), and Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
As part of this initiative, nearly 40 coffee companies—including five from Uganda—will exhibit at the World of Coffee Geneva 2025 (26–28 June), promoting value addition and market access for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across East Africa.
At a key side event hosted by the International Trade Centre (ITC) on 24 June, global coffee stakeholders emphasised the critical role of SMEs and smallholder farmers—who contribute approximately 80% of the world’s coffee—in driving sustainability and resilience across the agro-industrial value chain.
WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang captured this vision, stating: “At the WTO, we see every barrier removed as a seed for growth. By empowering smallholder farmers and MSMEs—the true backbone of the global coffee chain—we are not just easing trade; we are transforming local challenges into international triumphs, ensuring that every cup of coffee carries a legacy of hope, resilience, and prosperity.”
Dorothy Tembo, ITC Deputy Executive Director, reinforced the importance of inclusive development: “Our dialogue today is not merely about showcasing exceptional coffee—it is about understanding the day-to-day realities of the MSMEs who drive the sector. With robust initiatives and collaborative partnerships, we’re building a future where innovation meets tradition, empowering local producers to thrive in international markets.”
Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Bwino Fred Kyakulaga, Uganda’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, highlighted the country’s long-term strategy: “Uganda reaffirms its ambitious commitment to transform its export trajectory—from US$50 billion to US$500 billion—through strategic value addition. Coffee will be one of the primary drivers for achieving this target, reinforcing not only our economic competitiveness but also our national transformation agenda.”
“Additionally, the Government of Uganda has set aside US$100 million to support investment in the gradual transition of the coffee sector from green bean export to both green bean and soluble coffee exports in a bid to generate more revenue and income for the farmers and the country as a whole.”
Later, in a bilateral meeting with ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo and her team, Hon. Kyakulaga explored potential collaborations around science, technology transfer, and the adoption of modern agricultural practices to sustainably boost coffee production—discussions that were met with strong interest from ITC.
Reflecting on the broader dynamics shaping the industry, Vanusio Nogueira, Executive Director of the International Coffee Organisation (ICO), stressed the urgency of innovation and unity: “From seed to cup, we are redefining the future of coffee. Today, amid profound geopolitical shifts, emerging trade channels, and the pressing challenges of climate change, our industry stands at a crossroads. We must not only preserve the rich diversity of our coffee crops but also drive innovation in every stage—from sustainable farming and regenerative land use to groundbreaking post-harvest flavour innovations that cater to a new generation of conscious consumers.”
“By uniting industry experts, governments, and local producers, and through robust partnerships and strategic investments, we are turning challenges into opportunities, ensuring that every cup of coffee is a testament to progress, resilience, and shared prosperity.”
These collective efforts represent a holistic, multi-stakeholder strategy to overcome structural barriers such as regulatory uncertainties, rising compliance costs, and environmental challenges across the value chain. Through programs like EU-EAC MARKUP II and collaborative engagement led by the WTO, ITC, and ICO, East Africa is not just maintaining its foothold in global coffee trade—it is positioning itself as a leader in the movement toward premium, sustainable, and value-added coffee.
