Supporting Africa’s Coffee Potential

Coffee as a cash crop has the potential to unlock wealth in rural areas across Africa and to provide sustainable livelihoods for millions of people.

In 2026 Café Africa is celebrating 20 years’ involvement in lifting the vision of the leaders of Africa’s coffee sector, supporting them to see and then seize the opportunity that coffee presents. With Africa’s coffee production reviving in recent years, it is even more the case today that coffee can be an engine of economic growth, rural employment, and improved small-holder livelihoods across the continent. Growing global demand promises a bright future for Africa’s fine quality coffees.

Support to National Platforms

To achieve its potential, a country’s coffee sector needs its own clear vision. To achieve the agreed objectives and build the relationships on which that depends, Café Africa supports national coffee platforms, where all those involved can find their place and play their part. In two countries, Uganda and Tanzania, we are now doing this in collaboration with the Global Coffee Platform.

Training of Coffee Agronomists

Based on nationally agreed standardised extension training materials, we initiate and coordinate the training of agronomists. These are from the producing districts, in both the public and private sectors.  Training utilises the latest coffee-specific knowledge on good agricultural practices, including also environmental, social and climate change issues. Our objective is that through an integrated national coffee extension capacity, farmers will be empowered to improve their yields, and thus their livelihoods,  on an economically-sustainable basis.

District Coffee Shows

District Coffee Shows make coffee interesting and relevant to a rural population living far from international markets and consumers. They provide farmers with opportunities to taste coffee; learn about the market; see what is available for farm equipment and tools, fertiliser and inputs supplies; and learn how to cope with a changing climate. It’s a great day out enjoyed by all, and a useful learning experience, as many stories have confirmed.