The 3rd G25 African Coffee Summit has officially begun in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with seven African Heads of State joining key stakeholders from 25 coffee-producing nations. The two-day event, hosted by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, seeks to strengthen Africa’s coffee industry, expand its global market presence, and create opportunities for youth and women in the sector.
The summit is being held under the theme: “Unlocking employment opportunities for the youth through regeneration of the African coffee industry.” It aims to tackle challenges such as low farm productivity, limited value addition, access to affordable financing, and the growing impact of climate change on coffee production. Leaders and experts will explore strategies to modernize farming, enhance value chains, and leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost regional trade and domestic consumption.
Focus on Africa’s Coffee Sector Growth
Speaking ahead of the event, Tanzania’s Government Chief Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa emphasized that the summit presents a major opportunity for Tanzanian coffee farmers to build partnerships, explore new markets, and attract investment. He noted that the coffee sector plays a significant role in foreign exchange earnings, contributing to tax revenues and economic growth across African nations.
Currently, Tanzania generates approximately $240 million (over 621 billion Tanzanian shillings) from coffee exports, while the global coffee market is valued at $500 billion. Africa, the birthplace of Arabica and Robusta coffee, remains a key player in global production, with over 10 million households in 25 nations relying on coffee farming for their livelihoods.
Despite its potential, the sector faces numerous challenges, including aging farmers, low yields, and insufficient value-addition infrastructure. The summit will address these concerns and discuss ways to attract younger generations into coffee farming by improving financial access, technological adoption, and gender inclusivity in the industry.
Key Discussions and the Dar es Salaam Declaration
The summit will open with a ministerial session, where agriculture ministers and industry leaders will discuss policies to improve productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness in Africa’s coffee sector. Tanzania’s Minister for Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, will lead discussions that will culminate in the adoption of the Dar es Salaam Declaration—a policy framework aimed at boosting coffee production, trade, and value addition.
This declaration follows commitments made at previous summits, including:
- The Nairobi Declaration (2022), which recognized coffee as a strategic commodity in Agenda 2063 of the African Union.
- The Kampala Declaration (2023), which successfully pushed for the Inter-African Coffee Organisation (IACO) to be recognized as a specialized agency of the African Union.
High-Level Participation and Closing Events
The event will conclude with a Heads of State Summit, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Angolan President and AU Chairperson João Manuel Lourenço, and other leaders will give statements on the future of Africa’s coffee industry.
Other highlights include:
- The signing of the Dar es Salaam Declaration, symbolizing Africa’s collective commitment to revitalizing its coffee industry.
- An exhibition tour by Heads of State, showcasing innovations in coffee farming, processing, and value addition.
- A press briefing by Minister Hussein Bashe and IACO Secretary-General Ambassador Solomon Rutega.
A major focus of the summit is encouraging youth engagement in the coffee industry, as Africa faces an aging farming population and declining interest among younger generations. Leaders will discuss ways to remove barriers such as limited financing, lack of access to land, and inadequate training, while promoting entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and gender inclusion to make coffee farming a more attractive sector for the future.