Uganda’s coffee sector is making a bold push onto the global stage as Inspire Africa Coffee announced new export consignments to China, Turkey, and the United States, alongside plans to develop coffee tourism as a major economic driver.

The announcements came during the Coffee Tourism Strategic Summit at the Africa Coffee Park in Rwashamaire, Ntungamo District, which brought together government officials, tourism partners, youth innovators, baristas, investors, and development agencies.

Nelson Tugume, chief executive of Inspire Africa Coffee, described the moment as “unprecedented opportunity” for the country.

“We are doing more consignments into China that we will be launching, and Turkey and the USA,” he said, noting that China has already granted Uganda’s coffee and related products zero-tax entry. “Before our first consignment into Somalia, we are also doing small consignments into the US. Many partners from the USA are coming in the next days to ensure we start exporting our value-added products into different spaces globally. This is a commitment of those countries to showcase meaningful trade for Africa.”

Tugume emphasized coffee tourism as a tool for rural transformation. “We have seen how coffee tourism can boost tourism and the farmers’ livelihood through coffee. I hope this will boost development in this region. We have also learnt how to grow coffee,” he said. “Coffee tourism will boost value addition and development. Those outside and within Uganda will know that coffee is beyond the cup. Uganda will be fully recognised for the great value of its coffee.”

Sophie Bassanyu from Rwashamaire highlighted its benefits for farmers: “We are celebrating coffee tourism and exploring how to help farmers benefit greatly from coffee farming and take it far beyond traditional practices.”

Inspire Africa is preparing to dispatch its first major export consignments soon, aiming to break socio-economic barriers by ensuring value addition happens on the continent. Tugume questioned the global distribution of wealth in the coffee value chain:

“Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world. Out of the $460 billion, producer countries get $26 billion, and Africa gets only $2.5 billion. We need to find a solution and fairly distribute this money in the value chain and leave a good share to the farmer. That is what will transform that lady at the farm.”

He also stressed that coffee tourism should attract international travellers. “When someone comes from America or China, coffee tourism should bring them, but they should be able to see gorillas, too. You are creating a market that can understand your coffee.”

Tugume urged African governments to use commercial diplomacy to promote local coffee brands. “Uganda has a commercial diplomacy department, and they have resources. We need to see packs of coffee in those embassies. That is money that goes directly to the farmer.” He added the importance of young Africans building local brands: “We are in a space where we import brands. We must develop our own brands as a continent to export. We are creating a platform for white labelling to support young people in value addition.”

The Coffee Tourism Strategic Summit, themed One Million Coffee Tourists – $2 Billion Opportunity, brought together regional and global leaders to co-create a strategy for coffee tourism in Africa. Tugume said the initiative aims to raise Uganda’s coffee earnings from $1 billion to $5 billion within five years, with at least $1 billion expected from coffee tourism.

The 150-acre Africa Coffee Park is set to become Eastern Africa’s largest coffee processing and value-addition hub, featuring a Convention Centre, Exhibition Centre, IT Park, and advanced freeze-dry technology operating at -95°C to produce high-quality soluble (instant) coffee.