The Uganda coffee industry is proudly taking the spotlight at the World of Coffee 2025 expo in Geneva, Switzerland. Held from June 26 to 28 at Palexpo SA, the event is Europe’s leading platform for specialty coffee. It brings together top producers, exporters, roasters, and coffee lovers from all over the world.
Uganda is showcasing its coffee at booth 2371. The national pavilion offers daily cupping sessions at 11 a.m. and a flagship tasting on June 26 at 2:30 p.m. in Cupping Room 2. Through these experiences, Uganda is presenting both its Arabica and Robusta beans to the global market in a bold and immersive way.
Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, Uganda’s Minister of State for Agriculture, said the country sees coffee as a major driver of economic growth. According to him, Uganda aims to scale its exports from $50 billion to $500 billion. Coffee, therefore, stands at the core of this strategy. Events like this one allow Uganda to connect directly with premium buyers and traders.
While Italy continues to be Uganda’s largest importer, Switzerland offers fresh opportunities. Notably, it is home to many of the world’s top green coffee trading companies. Consequently, Uganda’s participation in Geneva is both strategic and timely.
Ambassador Arthur Kafeero, Uganda’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, stressed the dual goals of the mission—commercial and diplomatic. Geneva, he pointed out, is more than a city; it’s the heart of the green coffee trade. Over 50% of global transactions pass through its networks. For this reason, Uganda’s involvement carries significant weight.
In addition, Kafeero highlighted that only 164 Swiss nationals visited Uganda last year despite Switzerland’s population exceeding 8 million. This, he said, points to untapped potential in tourism and bilateral trade. By increasing visibility, Uganda hopes to strengthen ties on multiple fronts.
Leading the private sector team is Robert Byaruhanga, President of the Uganda Coffee Federation. He emphasized that the delegation represents more than just commerce—it represents culture, passion, and partnership. Each coffee bean, in his view, tells a story of Uganda’s heritage and its pursuit of excellence.
The Uganda coffee industry has earned growing global recognition in recent years. Thanks to its highland Arabica and carefully processed Robusta, buyers and roasters have taken note. Moreover, Uganda’s unique flavors and ethical farming practices are attracting attention in specialty circles.
This Geneva expo is more than a showcase. It serves as a launchpad for new branding efforts, traceability tools, and deeper global engagement. In fact, Uganda is aligning its trade diplomacy and agricultural innovation in an unprecedented way. This signals a shift from past models of commodity trading toward a modern, value-added approach.
Furthermore, various government bodies are now coordinating around coffee. From strategy development to international promotion, Uganda is acting with purpose. Coffee is no longer treated as just another export—it is a national flagship product with transformative potential.
With all of this in motion, Uganda’s presence at World of Coffee 2025 is a statement of intent. The Uganda coffee industry is not only participating—it is positioning itself as a serious contender in the global coffee value chain.
