Uganda Unveils Africa Coffee Park as Catalyst for $5B Coffee Industry and Continental Innovation

By Annabel Oyera

Uganda hosted the Africa Business and Investment Forum on Friday, 23rd May at the newly developed Africa Coffee Park in Rwashamaire, Ntungamo District.

The event was organized by Inspire Africa Group in partnership with the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. It aims to promote innovation, industrialisation, and value addition across Africa, with a special focus on transforming Uganda’s coffee industry.

Friday’s forum supports Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDPIV), which focuses on increasing production in key sectors like agriculture, tourism, ICT, and finance. It also seeks to grow the private sector, create jobs, and integrate more Ugandans into the money economy, especially the 39% currently left out.

Nelson Tugume, the CEO Inspire Africa, said, “Uganda’s young workforce is ready to lead in sectors like biotech, tech, and agriculture – but only if we create local opportunities. Let’s stop the brain drain! Our Coffee has capacity to bring bill gates here in Uganda.”

Inspire Africa Group CEO Nelson Tugume

Uganda is one of the world’s leading coffee producers, but most of its coffee is exported in raw form. This project aims to change that. Inspire Africa Group and its partners are working to increase Uganda’s coffee revenue from USD 1.2 billion to USD 5 billion in just five years.

Dr. James Mwangi, CEO of Equity Group Holdings, delivered the keynote address on overcoming challenges in Africa’s journey toward industrialisation. Other speakers included; Professor Augustus Nuwagaba, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda, who discussed the role of central banks in supporting innovation.

The Africa Coffee Park, where the forum, features the largest coffee processing plant in Eastern and Central Africa. It uses modern freeze-dry technology to produce instant coffee, ready-to-drink beverages, energy drinks, and cosmetics. The park also includes a sports complex, convention centre, business hub, coffee academy, exhibition centre, and an IT park.

This forum marks a major step forward in Africa’s journey toward economic transformation, with Uganda taking the lead in showing how value addition and innovation can drive sustainable growth. 

On top of the Coffee Hub, the 150—acre Africa Coffee Park will host a 4,000—seater Sports Complex, a 1,000—seater Convention Centre, a Business Centre, a Coffee Academy, an Exhibition Centre and an IT park that will champion Africa’s Artificial Intelligence vision.