President Museveni Calls for Enhanced Coffee Quality Standards Among African Leaders

President Museveni urges African coffee-producing leaders to improve coffee quality to strengthen their position in the global market.

President Yoweri Museveni has urged African leaders, particularly those from coffee-producing nations, to focus on improving coffee quality to strengthen their position in the global market. His message was delivered by Retired Major Jessica Alupo, Vice President of Uganda, during the High-Level Panel on Advancing Transformation of the Coffee Value Chain Summit held in Ethiopia.  

President Museveni highlighted Uganda's progress in coffee production, noting that local farmers have adopted value addition techniques that have significantly increased both the quality and quantity of the country's coffee exports. He emphasised the importance of African nations working together to implement sustainable farming practices that meet European Union deforestation regulations and satisfy growing global market demands.  

The Ugandan leader also shared that his government is actively supporting research into developing climate-resistant coffee varieties. This initiative aims to protect coffee production against the increasing challenges posed by climate change while ensuring long-term productivity for farmers.  

During the summit, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali reinforced the need for stronger collaboration among African countries in the coffee sector. He pointed out how such cooperation could drive substantial economic growth across the continent, given coffee's role as a major export commodity for many African nations.  

The discussions at the summit underscored coffee's vital importance to Africa's economy, with millions of livelihoods depending on its production and trade. By aligning their strategies and focusing on quality improvement, sustainability and compliance with international standards, African countries stand to gain greater access to premium markets and better prices for their coffee exports.  

This gathering of leaders marks a significant step toward a more unified and competitive African coffee industry, with Uganda taking a prominent role in shaping the continent's approach to coffee production and trade. The outcomes of this summit are expected to influence policies and practices across Africa's coffee-growing regions in the coming years.