Dar es Salaam: African coffee-producing nations have set an ambitious target to increase the continent’s share of global coffee production to 20 percent by 2030. This key resolution was among the top priorities at the third G25 African Coffee Summit being held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ethiopia, which is one of the top coffee producers in Africa, has its Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh attending the summit. The event has gathered Heads of State, Ministers, coffee authorities and institutions, and private sector stakeholders from G25 African coffee-producing countries. The aim is to discuss and implement strategies for transforming the coffee sector.
Currently, Africa accounts for only 11 percent of global coffee production-a sharp decline from 25 percent in the 1960s. While global coffee demand continues to rise, the continent’s output has struggled due to aging farmers, climate change, pests, and limited value addition.
The G25 Africa coffee summit is emphasizi
ng ways to boost production and local processing that would create jobs, strengthen intra-African trade, and drive economic growth. The African coffee-producing nations have targeted increasing their intra-African coffee trade from the current 15 percent to at least 50 percent.
One of the major discussions at the summit also centered on addressing low productivity, which has hindered Africa’s competitiveness in the global coffee market. Africa is home to Arabica and Robusta coffee with diverse and unique flavor, and over 53% of its rural population is involved in coffee farming. However, structural constraints and climate challenges restrict the sector’s growth.
The summit is anticipated to rejuvenate Africa’s coffee industry by involving youth, enhancing value addition, and addressing systemic barriers.