Kampala, Uganda – Uganda has officially overtaken Ethiopia as Africa’s leading coffee exporter, recording 47,606.7 tonnes of coffee exports in May 2025, outpacing Ethiopia’s 43,481 tonnes for the same period. This significant achievement marks a turning point for Uganda’s agricultural sector, driven largely by the government’s strategic investments in farmer empowerment, value addition, and export infrastructure.
Long considered Africa’s coffee powerhouse, Ethiopia still holds strong annual figures, having exported 354,302 tonnes from July 2024 to May 2025. The country is targeting $2 billion in coffee export earnings by the end of the fiscal year in July 2025, thanks to its continued focus on global market penetration and growing efforts in value addition. However, Uganda’s May surge highlights its growing competitiveness in the international coffee market, positioning it as a rising force in Africa’s agribusiness landscape.
Analysts attribute Uganda’s export success to initiatives such as expanded agricultural extension services, increased distribution of high-yield coffee seedlings, and the government’s commitment to promoting value-added coffee processing for both domestic consumption and export. These reforms have not only boosted output but also enhanced the quality and marketability of Ugandan coffee globally.
Despite the export growth, Uganda’s coffee sector faces challenges due to falling global prices. The government recently addressed the concerns of farmers, attributing the price drop to a global oversupply and strong harvests in major coffee-producing nations. Nonetheless, officials maintain that the long-term outlook for the sector remains strong, with plans to continue investing in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable farming techniques, and market diversification.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia is doubling down on improving its value chain through processing and branding, acknowledging that exporting raw coffee has historically limited its earnings. At the same time, the country continues to promote its Green Legacy Initiative (GLI), which plays a dual role in environmental sustainability and economic revitalization, including reforestation efforts that support long-term coffee cultivation.
Uganda’s ascent to the top spot reflects a broader shift in Africa’s coffee industry, where innovation, policy support, and strategic investments are reshaping the continent’s position in the global coffee trade. As both nations push forward, the competition is expected to drive improvements in quality, sustainability, and economic returns for millions of smallholder farmers.
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