Uganda eyes bigger coffee earnings from Uganda–China Investment Tour

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Uganda is looking to earn more from its coffee, with the government turning to Chinese investors to boost processing and increase export value.

This comes as a high-level Chinese delegation tours key production areas and industrial hubs across the country under the Uganda–China Coffee Investment and Destination Tour, which runs from April 10 to 23.

The initiative, organised by Uganda’s embassy in Beijing and its consulate in Guangzhou, brings together investors from manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure and tourism.

In Uganda, Africa’s leading coffee exporter, the push is about moving away from exporting raw beans to selling processed coffee, which fetches higher prices on the global market. Officials say attracting foreign investment into processing is critical to achieving this shift.

A key focus of the tour is Uganda’s coffee sector. The delegation is expected to visit the Ankole Coffee Producers Cooperative Union and a coffee processing facility in Bushenyi to better understand the country’s value chain from farming to processing and explore opportunities in roasting, packaging and export development.

Investors are also touring major industrial parks, including Mbale, Liao Shen and Namanve, where the government is promoting opportunities in agro-processing and manufacturing. These facilities are seen as potential locations for future coffee processing plants aimed at increasing exports of finished or semi-processed products.

Speaking during the tour, Uganda’s Ambassador to China, Oliver Wonekha, said the visit highlights the strong ties between the two countries and opens the door for deeper economic cooperation.

She noted that the delegation will engage with key government agencies, including the Uganda Investment Authority, to explore investment opportunities and partnerships, as well as learn from ongoing projects implemented by Chinese companies in Uganda.

Beyond coffee, the delegation is also being introduced to Uganda’s tourism potential, with visits to sites such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park and the Source of the Nile. Officials hope this will not only attract investment in tourism but also increase the number of Chinese visitors to Uganda.

Industry players have for long argued that expanding local processing capacity could significantly improve farmer incomes and protect earnings from fluctuating global prices. It could also create jobs and reduce Uganda’s dependence on exporting raw commodities.

However, questions remain about how quickly these ambitions can be realised. Past investment drives have not always resulted in large-scale projects, with challenges such as infrastructure gaps, financing constraints and regulatory hurdles slowing progress.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials believe the ongoing tour signals a renewed effort to align foreign investment with Uganda’s development goals. By linking coffee production to industrialisation and export diversification, the government is betting that partnerships with Chinese investors could help transform the country’s coffee sector into a more profitable industry.