Coffee from the African continent accounts for around 12% of the world’s production of coffee beans and within this Ethiopia and Uganda combined account for approximately 62% of the total output.
By adding value to their product, small-scale coffee producers can increase their profits, improve their competitiveness, and tap into new and emerging markets.
The African continent, replete with diverse topography and meteorological conditions, has for generations been a bastion of agriculture, with the cultivation of crops like coffee being one of the mainstay pursuits of the agrarian population. In recent times, however, there has been a growing consensus among experts in the field of coffee production that Africa has the potential to reap considerable dividends from the addition of value to its coffee beans. This is a topic that has been the subject of much discussion and debate, with many observers grappling with the complex questions surrounding this issue.
*The views of the above article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Africa Speaks 4 Africa or its editorial team.