Uganda has outpaced Ethiopia in monthly coffee exports for the first time, marking a historic shift in Africa’s coffee trade.
This comes as the country’s flagship Inspire Africa Coffee Factory in Ntungamo begins to deliver tangible results, boosting both production capacity and export value.
Uganda’s coffee sector is experiencing a transformative rise, fueled by strategic investments and value addition. In May 2025, Uganda exported 47,606 tons of coffee, surpassing Ethiopia’s 43,481 tons for the same month an unprecedented achievement for the East African country.
This surge in output and earnings is partly attributed to the Inspire Africa Coffee Factory located in Rwashamaire Town Council, Ntungamo District. The facility was built to increase Uganda’s coffee revenue from $1 billion to an ambitious $4 billion by enabling local processing and reducing reliance on raw bean exports.
In the same month, Uganda earned $243 million from shipping 793,445 bags of coffee. Total revenue for 2025 now stands at $2.09 billion, reflecting a significant uptick in export volumes and market diversification.
From June 2024 to May 2025, Uganda exported a total of 7.43 million bags of coffee to global markets. Europe continues to be the largest buyer, receiving 67 percent of Uganda’s coffee, with Italy alone accounting for 39 percent. Africa absorbed 18 percent of the exports, while 13 percent went to Asian countries.
The Inspire Africa Coffee Factory is not just an infrastructure project it represents a new vision for Uganda’s agricultural sector. By processing beans domestically, the country captures more value along the supply chain, supports local jobs, and offers farmers better returns.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) have welcomed the numbers as evidence of policy success. They credit improved extension services, farmer training, and favorable climate conditions for the current gains.
Stakeholders also praise Uganda’s ability to respond to shifting global demand, especially for specialty and value-added coffees. With the factory now operational, Uganda has begun competing not just on volume, but on quality and branding.
Uganda’s rise in the coffee sector sends a powerful message: with the right investments in processing and trade infrastructure, African countries can move beyond exporting raw commodities and claim their place in high-value global markets.
As the coffee aroma from Uganda continues to spread across continents, the country’s bold strategy is proving that the road to prosperity may just be paved with beans processed and packaged at home.
