UNIDO, World Coffee Research invest US$759.4K to strengthen Uganda coffee sector, boost farmer productivity
UNIDO and World Coffee Research launch €850,000 initiative to enhance Uganda’s coffee seed systems, supporting farmers and ensuring long-term sustainability in Africa’s leading coffee exporter.
UGANDA – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and World Coffee Research (WCR) have announced a €850,000 co-investment to strengthen Uganda’s coffee seed systems, improve farmer livelihoods, and support long-term sector sustainability.
The three-year initiative brings together WCR, UNIDO through its ACT Coffee Programme funded by the Italian Cooperation, the Lavazza Foundation, The J.M. Smucker Co., and JDE Peet’s in a collaborative effort aimed at securing the future of Uganda’s coffee industry.
In a statement, WCR said the project will expand access to high-quality planting material by creating new pathways to deliver improved coffee seedlings to farmers, helping to boost productivity and resilience across the sector. Uganda remains Africa’s largest coffee exporter by volume.
The programme focuses on strengthening seed system infrastructure through several measures, including expanding access to resilient varieties by establishing new robusta mother gardens and nurseries, and ensuring genetic purity through the genotyping of more than 5,000 robusta mother garden plants.
Additional efforts include strengthening local capacity through collaboration with government partners and stimulating farmer demand by establishing demonstration plots of KR robusta lines and advanced arabica hybrids.
The public-private partnership builds on WCR’s previous work in Uganda, which has focused on improving farmer access to high-quality planting materials and securing a sustainable supply chain for the global coffee industry.
“Uganda’s coffee sector holds extraordinary potential, and this initiative demonstrates precisely the kind of public-private partnership that can unlock it,” said Andrea De Marco, UNIDO Programme Manager and Partnership Advisor.
WCR CEO Dr Jennifer “Vern” Long highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing industry risks. “The commitment by WCR member companies JDE Peet’s, Lavazza Foundation, and The J.M. Smucker Co., alongside UNIDO, validates the power of collective action to de-risk key origins and secure the future of quality coffee supply,” she said.
Coffee Export Earnings
The investment comes amid strong growth in Uganda’s coffee exports. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries shows the country earned US$2.5 billion (UGX 9 trillion) from coffee exports in the 12 months to February 2026.
During this period, Uganda exported 8.8 million 60-kilogram bags, up from 6.3 million bags valued at US$1.6 billion (UGX 6 trillion) in the previous year, representing increases of 41% in volume and 61% in value.
In February 2026 alone, exports reached 651,933 bags worth US$180.98 million (UGX 573.50 billion), marking a 14.93% rise in volume and a 5.75% increase in value compared to February 2025.
Arabica exports led the growth, rising 53.93% in volume and 70.85% in value, while robusta shipments increased 7.51% in volume, accounting for 79% of total exports.
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.
