Top 10 coffee-producing countries in Africa

Coffee holds a crucial spot in Africa’s economy, ranking as the second largest source of revenue for many countries after crude oil.

In 2022, Africa’s coffee exports were valued at over $3.6 billion, with Ethiopia leading the way, raking in about $1.5 billion. Uganda followed closely behind, contributing nearly $813 million in exports.

Read also: World’s largest coffee producers’ loss could be Africa’s gain

Together, Ethiopia and Uganda account for an impressive 62% of Africa’s coffee exports. With Africa producing 12% of the world’s coffee beans, its impact on the global coffee market is undeniable. Given the rising global demand for sustainably sourced, high-quality coffee, it’s exciting to think about how these numbers might shift in the years to come.

The future of African coffee looks full of potential, both economically and culturally. Africa is renowned for its rich diversity of coffee flavours, shaped by its varied climates and cultivation practices.

Here are the top 10 coffee-producing countries in Africa:

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the beating heart of African coffee and plays a pivotal role in global production. As the continent’s largest coffee producer, Ethiopia yields an impressive 472,000 tonnes annually, ranking fifth globally.

Particularly famous for its Sidamo region, the country contributes 4.5 per cent of the world’s coffee production, equivalent to around 7.6 million bags of beans. Ethiopia’s coffee culture is not just a product but a way of life, influencing coffee trends worldwide.

Uganda

Uganda is ranked tenth among coffee-producing nations. It produces 209,000 tonnes each year. A staggering 80 per cent of its output is robusta, cultivated in lower-altitude regions.

Despite the challenges faced by its 1.8 million coffee farmers, such as severe droughts, torrential rains, pests, and occasional theft, Uganda remains a key player in the global coffee industry. These obstacles, however, make the journey of Ugandan coffee to international markets a testament to the resilience and determination of its farmers.

Read also: The history of coffee: Origins in Africa and its global journey

Rwanda

In 2023, Rwanda produced 250,000 60-kg bags of coffee, making up 0.1 per cent of global production, according to the USDA. Nearly 98 per cent of its coffee is Arabica, with 95 per cent of that being the Red Bourbon variety, as reported by the Rwandan National Agriculture Export Board (NAEB).

Coffee is grown primarily in regions like the Kivu Lake Borders, Central Plateau, Eastern Plateau, and Mayaga. Rwandan coffee is highly regarded in speciality markets across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with 60 per cent classified as speciality coffee, scoring over 85 on the SCA scale.

Coffee is vital to Rwanda’s economy, representing 24 per cent of agricultural exports and supporting around 400,000 smallholder farmers. In 2022, the country exported approximately 20,000 tons, according to the International Coffee Organization (ICO).

Kenya

In 2024, Kenya ranks as the 19th largest coffee producer globally, known primarily for its exceptional Arabica coffee. The Kenyan coffee industry has built a strong reputation for quality, thanks to meticulous processing at its washing stations. With over 600,000 smallholder farmers, Kenyan coffee is celebrated for its distinctive cup profiles, resulting from careful attention to every detail of its production.

Grown in the high-altitude regions of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Range, Kenya’s Arabica beans thrive in fertile volcanic soil and an ideal climate. The country’s auction system ensures that farmers receive competitive prices for their premium beans, helping maintain Kenya’s reputation as a global leader in coffee excellence.

However, according to the USDA’s 2024/2025 Coffee Annual forecast, Kenya’s coffee production is expected to decrease by around 6.3 per cent, with an estimated 750,000 60-kg bags. This decline is attributed to stagnant farmland growth and the encroaching urbanization of agricultural areas.

Tanzania

In 2023, Tanzania ranked 15th globally in coffee production, with output projected to reach approximately 1.3 million 60-kg bags by 2028, up from around 1.2 million bags in 2023. This represents an average annual growth rate of 1.5 per cent according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports.

Despite this growth, Tanzanian coffee production has seen little overall change since 1995, with no significant year-on-year increase during that period. The recent rise in production is largely attributed to the successful rehabilitation of ageing plantations and strong, consistent demand from key buyers, particularly in the European Union.

Read also: Cocoa, coffee top best-performing commodities in 2024

Cote d’Ivoire

Despite a decline in production, Ivory Coast remains one of Africa’s largest coffee producers, ranking third on the continent after Ethiopia and Uganda, and 15th globally.

According to the International Coffee Organization, the country’s coffee production has averaged approximately two million bags (around 120,000 tons) in recent years. Between 2020 and 2021, production dropped to about 1.8 million bags, or just over 100,000 tons.
In 2023/2024, coffee was the highest-produced commodity in Ivory Coast with a production scale of about 1.3 million 60-kg bags according to USDA reports.

Burundi

Coffee farming is vital to Burundi’s economy, providing income for around 600,000 families, or 40 per cent of the population. While Burundi may not export as much coffee as other East African nations, it is highly regarded for its high-quality beans and unique flavour profiles. Key export markets include Europe, the U.S., and Africa, with notable growth in Germany and Sweden.

However, Burundi’s coffee production is projected to decline significantly over the next five years. By 2028, the output is expected to fall to approximately 91,000 bags of 60 kg each, down from around 139,000 bags in 2023, an average annual decrease of 6.7 per cent.

Despite this decline, Burundi continues to have over 25 million coffee trees spread across 60,000 hectares, primarily maintained by around 800,000 smallholder farmers. Even in regions like Kayanza Province, where yields are declining, coffee remains a cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural landscape.

Guinea

In 2020, Guinea ranked as the 34th-largest coffee producer globally. While its coffee production is small on the world stage, it remains a crucial crop for many local farmers. Coffee is cultivated across 15 regions, including the Fouta Djallon plateau, the Ziama Massif nature reserve, and the area surrounding Mount Nimba. The majority of coffee grown in Guinea is robusta, though a few small-scale farms also produce arabica.

DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) boasts an ideal climate and hilly terrain for coffee cultivation, making it a perfect environment for both Arabica (13 per cent) and Robusta (87 per cent) coffee.

The coffee sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo was once a cornerstone of the economy, especially in key producing provinces such as Bas-Congo, Bandundu, Equateur North and South, Kasai, North Kivu, and Oriental Province, where it was the primary source of household income for many families.

In the 1980s, coffee exports were the country’s second most lucrative commodity after copper. Coffee was a major cash crop during the colonial era but began to decline under the rule of dictator Mobutu. The violent conflicts that followed nearly devastated the sector, with farmers abandoning their farms. While the DRC produced 120,000 tons of coffee in 1993, this dropped dramatically to just 8,000 tons by 2016.

Cameroun

Cameroon remains a modest player in global coffee production and marketing, ranking 54th in sales volume. Between 2018 and 2022, its market share peaked at just 0.1%. Despite this, Cameroonian coffee is highly sought after in select countries, particularly Algeria, France, Belgium, and Portugal.

Cameroon produces a range of coffee beans, each with its own unique flavours and characteristics. Among the most renowned are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans, cultivated at higher altitudes, are particularly prized for their delicate flavours, floral aromas, and subtle acidity.