UNIDO, Generali partner under ACT programme to boost climate-resilient coffee production in Africa 

AFRICA – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and global insurer Generali have signed a joint declaration under the ACT Programme: Advancing Climate-Resilience and Transformation in African Coffee, aimed at strengthening sustainable coffee production, local value addition and livelihoods across Africa. 

The collaboration seeks to improve socio-economic conditions in coffee-producing communities while supporting farmers and local enterprises in adapting to climate-related shocks that increasingly threaten yields and incomes.  

It also aims to reinforce international technical cooperation and responsible trade in one of Africa’s most important agricultural commodities. 

The ACT Programme is funded by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and aligns with the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy and Italy’s Mattei Plan priorities for Africa. 

UNIDO is serving as the programme lead, working alongside the International Coffee Organization, the Inter-African Coffee Organization and a range of private sector partners. Generali is contributing as a technical advisor through Generali Global Corporate and Commercial, its centre of excellence for parametric insurance solutions. 

Initial implementation of the programme will focus on Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi, which are among Africa’s key coffee-producing countries. 

The initiative is structured around a five-pillar framework covering value addition, climate action, regulatory compliance, research and social inclusion, with access to finance embedded as a cross-cutting enabler. 

Andrea DeMarco, UNIDO’s Programme Manager and Partnership Advisor, said the collaboration demonstrates the impact of public-private cooperation. 

“Through UNIDO’s ACT Programme, we are building resilient and sustainable agricultural value chains that create inclusive employment opportunities, add local value, and protect our planet,” DeMarco said. 

“The partnership with Generali is a powerful example of how public and private actors can join forces to make this transformation a reality. Together, we aim to strengthen the livelihoods of coffee producers in Africa, improve climate resilience, and promote fair and sustainable global trade in agricultural commodities.” 

From the private sector perspective, Generali highlighted the growing risks climate change poses to agricultural systems globally. 

Lucia Silva, Generali Group’s Chief Sustainability Officer, said insurance solutions could help address protection gaps in developing economies. 

“Insurance solutions, particularly parametric insurance, can play a critical role in helping farmers and agribusinesses manage climate-related losses,” Silva said, noting the importance of tailored approaches for vulnerable value chains. 

The partnership will prioritise closer cooperation between governments, development institutions and the private sector to mobilise resources and share technical expertise. 

It will also support joint analytical work on insurance solutions adapted to Africa’s coffee value chain, alongside dialogue platforms and impact measurement tools. 

UNIDO and Generali said the initiative is designed to support more resilient and inclusive coffee value chains that enable African producers to adapt to climate change while capturing greater value locally. 

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.