East Africa is experiencing a transformative shift in its coffee industry, marked by Uganda’s emergence as the continent’s leading coffee exporter. In May 2025, Uganda outpaced Ethiopia by exporting a record 47,606.7 tonnes of coffee a 43.59% increase compared to the previous year. This surge pushed Uganda’s annual earnings from coffee exports beyond USD 2 billion, highlighting a new chapter in regional agricultural competitiveness.
This growth reflects a broader East African initiative focused on enhancing coffee quality, sustainability, and value addition through cross-border collaboration. A major boost has come from regional integration projects such as the EU-EAC MARKUP II, which unites key agricultural agencies from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi. These partnerships aim to streamline access to international markets and promote coffee exports from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
At the recent World of Coffee 2025 expo in Geneva, nearly 40 East African coffee companies, including five from Uganda, showcased their products. The event emphasized the need to support SMEs and smallholder farmers, who produce close to 80% of the world’s coffee. Stakeholders called for inclusive and sustainable value chains that prioritize innovation, quality improvement, and global market competitiveness.
There is a strong focus on transitioning from traditional green bean exports to value-added products like soluble coffee. Uganda has committed USD 100 million to drive this transformation, targeting an ambitious increase in national exports from USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion. Coffee is seen as a cornerstone of this economic agenda, with value addition expected to enhance both income for farmers and national revenue.
Technological innovation is also playing a vital role in East Africa’s coffee resurgence. Discussions between regional leaders and development partners have explored science and technology transfer to improve productivity sustainably. These efforts are intended to address long-standing barriers such as high compliance costs, regulatory hurdles, and climate-related challenges that impact the entire value chain.
Industry leaders stress that to succeed, the coffee sector must embrace a holistic approach from regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming to advanced post-harvest processing and flavor innovation. There is a strong call for regional cooperation to turn these ideas into actionable outcomes, positioning East Africa as not just a bulk supplier but a premium player in global coffee markets.
As the region moves forward, the momentum created by trade expos, strategic investments, and policy commitment is paving the way for a resilient and competitive coffee industry that benefits both producers and consumers across the globe.
