The African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) is set to convene its 22nd African Good Coffees Summit and Exhibition from February 6 to 8, 2026, at the Addis International Convention Center in Ethiopia, widely regarded as the birthplace of Arabica coffee. The summit will serve as a critical forum to tackle pressing issues hindering Africa from fully capitalizing on its rich coffee heritage.
Industry leaders attending the summit note that, despite providing some of the highest quality coffee to global markets, many African producers are not benefiting equitably from the vast profits generated along the coffee value chain. The Ethiopian Coffee Association underscored that “our producers are far from the advantage of the last cup,” highlighting the significant discrepancy between international coffee prices and the returns earned by farmers.
A central theme emerging from conference discussions is the low added value within the African coffee sector. Most coffee is exported as raw beans, leaving producers largely excluded from lucrative activities such as processing, roasting, and branding. Additionally, African coffees often lack strong, distinctive brands capable of commanding premium prices worldwide. Producers also face challenges from inconsistent production levels and reliance on outdated processing techniques, which further limit income potential.
To address these problems, the summit will focus on enhancing market access, building climate change resilience, and boosting intra-African trade. AFCA, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, is urging all stakeholders—from farmers and exporters to policymakers—to unite in creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and profitable African coffee industry.
By fostering cooperation, knowledge exchange, and investment, the summit aims to transform Africa’s coffee sector “from promising to prosperous.”
