On May 13-14, 2026, the African Coffee Summit took place in Marrakech, Morocco, bringing together producers from across the continent to discuss a new strategy for the coffee sector. The event, organized by the Inter-African Coffee Organization (IACO), aimed to help African countries retain more of the value chain, from processing to marketing.
According to IACO, Africa produces about 12% of the world's coffee but earns less than 5% of the global coffee revenue, as most beans are exported raw. The summit's declaration, adopted on May 14, calls for increased local processing, better access to financing for smallholder farmers, and the creation of a pan-African coffee brand.
Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Mohammed Sadiki, stated that the initiative could double the continent's coffee revenue by 2030. The plan includes training programs for farmers and investments in roasting facilities in countries like Ethiopia, Uganda, and CΓ΄te d'Ivoire.
Representatives from 25 African nations attended, along with delegates from the International Coffee Organization (ICO). The next summit is scheduled for 2027 in Kigali, Rwanda.
