Published on 12/04/2025
Uganda is set to take a lead in the global coffee economy as Inspire Africa Group (IAG) champions a revolutionary transformation of the country’s coffee value chain.
With an ambitious goal of growing Uganda’s coffee earnings from USD 1 billion to USD 5 billion in just five years, the private sector-led initiative is placing value addition at the heart of its strategy with over 18 types of coffee products.
At the centre of this transformation is the Africa Coffee Park, a massive complex in Rwashamaire, Ntungamo District in Western Uganda. Slated for commissioning by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on May 24, 2025, the facility is the largest of its kind in Eastern and Central Africa and is equipped with state-of-the-art freeze-drying technology, a processing innovation used by industry giants like Nestlé to produce high-quality instant coffee.
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According to Nelson Tugume, the CEO of Inspire Africa Group, the time has come for Uganda to stop exporting raw potential and start exporting premium, finished products to boost the coffee sector.
“Uganda has always been a coffee giant, but now, we are setting out to become a coffee brand. We will no longer export raw potential. We will export finished excellence. Our target is bold: USD 4 billion from value-added exports and USD 1 billion from coffee tourism. The time for transformation is now,” Dr. Tugume said during an evening coffee catch up on Friday at Twed Towers in Kampala.
According to Dr. Tugume, the introduction of freeze-dry technology marks a significant upgrade from traditional processing methods and by preserving flavour, aroma and nutritional integrity, the technology positions Uganda to compete in premium coffee markets, including Europe, North America, and Asia.
”Beyond instant coffee, the facility will also produce coffee, cosmetics and beauty products like scrubs, which are among the 18 coffee products, all in chain which will open up new markets and revenue streams under the growing trend of wellness and lifestyle branding” he added.
Adding” The Africa Coffee Park is more than a processing plant, it is a coffee ecosystem featuring various facilities including; Sports Complex, Exhibition Centre, Coffee Academy and IT Innovation Park to support Africa’s AI ambitions among others. All these components are designed not only to support production and training but also to position Uganda as a destination for coffee tourism and international investment
While government agencies such as the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology have pledged support, it is the private sector leadership that is making headlines. Equity Bank, Uganda Tourism Board, DFCU Bank, and Crown Beverages are among the sponsors of Inspire Africa’s upcoming initiatives, including the Coffee Marathon, Africa Business & Investment Forum and Inspire Women Conference.
Furthermore, Dr Tugume noted that IAG’s strategy taps into more than just commodity trading—it signals a mega shift. With over 1.7 million households involved in coffee farming in Uganda, the impacts of value addition could be enormous, higher farmer incomes, job creation in agro-processing, and foreign exchange earnings from diversified exports.
This initiative also aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan III (NDPIII) goals, particularly around industrialization, agro-led growth and regional economic hubs.
With the Coffee Marathon and the launch of the Africa Coffee Park around the corner, Uganda is poised for a transformative milestone and Inspire Africa’s initiative is set to usher in a new era—one where Uganda is recognized not just as a top coffee producer, but as a global leader in coffee excellence, innovation and influence.
To Register and book your ticket for #CoffeeMarathonUg, visit: http://coffeemarathonug.com
