Joseph Isangura
President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially opened the Third African Coffee Producers Summit, where leaders, experts, and farmers gathered to discuss the future of the coffee industry on the continent.
The summit, held in Dar es Salaam, aims to strengthen cooperation among coffee-producing nations, tackle challenges facing the sector, and explore ways to boost production and value addition.
During the opening ceremony, President Samia took a moment to taste freshly brewed Tanzanian coffee, a symbolic gesture highlighting the country’s deep connection to the crop. In her speech, she emphasized coffee’s vital role in the economy, not just for Tanzania but for many African nations where millions of farmers depend on it for their livelihoods.
“Coffee is more than just a commodity—it is part of our identity and a key driver of our economies,” she said. “We must work together to ensure our farmers benefit fully from their hard work and that African coffee gains greater recognition in global markets.”
One of the key themes of this year’s summit is increasing youth participation in the coffee industry. With an aging farming population, many African nations are looking for ways to make coffee farming more attractive to younger generations. Discussions focused on improving access to financing, modernizing farming techniques, and expanding local processing and branding to increase profits for farmers.
Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of investing in young farmers. “If we want the coffee sector to thrive, we must make it appealing to the youth,” he said. “That means providing training, technology, and financial support to help them succeed.”
Tanzania, one of Africa’s leading coffee producers, has been implementing several initiatives to revamp the sector. Production has risen significantly, from 34,000 tons to 85,000 tons in the past year. The government has also been supporting research to combat plant diseases, providing subsidies for seeds and fertilizers, and promoting domestic coffee consumption.
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Part of this effort includes the “Build a Better Tomorrow” (BBT) program, which provides young farmers with land and resources to engage in coffee production. The government also aims to increase local coffee consumption from 7% to 15% by 2030, recognizing the potential of a strong domestic market. Investments in processing plants, such as the TANICA factory, and strengthening cooperative societies are also key strategies.
As the summit continues, participants are expected to develop a roadmap for sustainable coffee production in Africa. With growing global demand, African nations are looking to position themselves as key players in the industry while ensuring that farmers, particularly smallholders, receive fair compensation for their efforts.
The event has provided a platform for African coffee-producing nations to share experiences and strategies, with a collective goal of enhancing the industry and securing better opportunities for future generations.
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