Buna dabo naw, Coffee is our bread!
Building local value chains
In conversation with Grace Nshemeire Gwaku, Chief Operating Officer of Private sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Uganda’s umbrella body for the private sector made up of over 230 Business Associations, Corporate bodies and the major Public Sector Agencies that support private sector growth, she stated that: ‘When we start transforming agriculture in Africa, we are looking at, from seed to the plate. So the whole agricultural process, the post-harvest handling, the storage, and then the value -addition.’ We are not getting the right price for our coffee, for example.’
‘Uganda is the second largest exporter of coffee in Africa: Coffee exports from Africa were valued at over 3.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Ethiopia was the leading exporter, earning around 1.5 billion U.S. dollars with coffee exports. Uganda followed with an export value of nearly 813 million U.S. dollars as of the same year,’ according to statista.
According to the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), Uganda ranks 3rd in countries producing quality coffee in the world, with Ethiopia and Kenya respectively in 1st and 2nd position. Ratings according to 1,229 professional coffee tasters certified by the Coffee Quality Institute-CQI, respectively place Uganda at 84.05, Ethiopia at number one with 84.88, and Kenya second at 84.31, on the CQI reported grading scale out of 100. This makes it three East African countries among the top 10 countries producing quality coffee, Tanzania ranking 10th.
Grace continues, that despite Uganda’s position, there is room to improve the revenue from exporting coffee, as it is currently mainly exported as green beans. According to Grace, ”Now just adding value, roasting or even grinding it, making instant coffee and exporting it so that chains can brand it, would give more money and value to the farmer. So we’re looking for partners to come onboard and work with us so that we can transform our agriculture. We have the capacity. There could be opportunities of scaling up as one, not as individuals.”
Story with Grace Nshemeire Gwaku Chief Operating Officer of Private sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU)
Grace is a Executive leader with a demonstrated history of delivering strong results. Skilled in the Design and Implementation of Business Strategies, Plans and Procedures. Responsible for the Annual Budget Process, policies, internal controls, and processes that drive organizational performance, culture and vision. Represents the organization in banking, lease agreements and fundraising ventures as well as managing partnerships. In charge of team development and leadership. Oversee direct operation of the company and work of executives: Finance, Human Resources, ICT, Procurement, Public Relations and Communications, and Operations. Holds a a Bachelor of Science (BSc) focused in Food Science and Technology from Makerere University and a MBA from University of Leicester.
