Tanzania to host G25 African Coffee Summit to boost production, global market share 

TANZANIA – Tanzania is set to host the G25 African Coffee Summit from February 21, 2025, bringing together leaders from 25 coffee-producing nations to discuss strategies for increasing Africa’s coffee production, enhancing value addition, and strengthening the continent’s role in the global coffee market. 

Primus Kimaryo, Director General of the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB), announced that the high-profile event in Dar es Salaam will feature discussions on trade, investment, and policy frameworks aimed at boosting Africa’s coffee industry.  

He confirmed that seven heads of state had already confirmed attendance, while others would be represented by senior officials. 

A key outcome of the two-day summit will be the signing of the Dar es Salaam Declaration, a joint resolution aimed at increasing the value of African coffee and promoting its consumption within the continent.  

Kimaryo emphasized that the declaration will outline measures to create employment opportunities, particularly for young people, by strengthening the coffee value chain. 

“In this third summit, we aim to address key challenges in Africa’s coffee industry, particularly by creating employment opportunities for young people through improvements in production and value addition,” Kimaryo said. 

The event will begin with a ministerial session where industry leaders will deliberate on critical issues affecting the sector. The signing of the Dar es Salaam Declaration will take place on the second day in the presence of the attending heads of state. 

Ambassador Solomon Rutega, Secretary General of the Inter-African Coffee Organisation (IACO), said: “Africa exports most of its coffee in raw form, which is then processed abroad and sold back to the continent at higher prices. This summit will explore strategies to ensure that Africa retains more value from its coffee industry.” 

Tanzania produces between 30,000 and 40,000 metric tonnes of coffee annually, with Arabica accounting for 70% of production and Robusta making up the remaining 30%. 

Smallholder farms contribute 90% of the country’s coffee output, while large estates in Arusha, Kilimanjaro, and Mbeya account for the rest. 

Acting Assistant Director for Crop Production at the Ministry of Agriculture, Justa Katunzi, highlighted the importance of coffee to Tanzania’s economy and urged young people to embrace it as a profitable cash crop. 

The G25 Summit is taking place at a time when global coffee prices are on the rise. Coffee futures in New York recently surged above US$4.30 per pound, with prices up 35% since the start of the year following a 70% increase in 2024.  

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