Uganda's Coffee Industry Makes Historic Entry Into Saudi Arabia – CoffeeTalk

Uganda’s coffee industry has made a significant advancement with the inauguration of Nonda Coffee’s first single-origin Coffee Café in Riyadh, marking the country’s entry into Saudi Arabia’s premium coffee market. This café is the pioneer of a projected 50 outlets under the Value-at-Source Coffee Project, a $148 million collaborative initiative between Nonda Commodities Limited from Uganda and Ingaz International Holding Group from Saudi Arabia.

During the launch, Vice President Jessica Alupo, representing President Museveni, articulated that this initiative aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040, which prioritizes industrialization and value addition to enhance the country’s export profile. She emphasized that the project transcends coffee alone; it aims to redefine Uganda’s role in global trade by exporting not just commodities, but also its value, identity, and culture.

Mr. Mohammed bin Abdulrazzaq Alohaly, Managing Director of Agriculture and Food Processing, who represented the Saudi Ministry of Investment, praised the project as an exemplary model of productive South–South cooperation. He noted that the Value-at-Source Coffee Project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at economic diversification and the establishment of sustainable global supply chains. He asserted that Uganda’s coffee excellence is poised to secure a robust, long-term market in the Kingdom and the broader Gulf region.

Central to this partnership are two major infrastructure hubs: the Luwero Coffee Park in Uganda, dedicated to processing, roasting, and packaging, and the Jazan Coffee Terminal in Saudi Arabia, tasked with distribution, certification, and re-exporting to Gulf Cooperation Council markets. These facilities are expected to bolster Uganda’s coffee value chain from the farm to the final product, resulting in job creation, increased export revenues, and the promotion of sustainable production practices.

Beyond their commercial significance, the Riyadh launch is seen as an emblem of cultural exchange and economic solidarity between Africa and the Middle East. Nonda Coffee’s entrance into the Gulf market melds Ugandan craftsmanship with Saudi hospitality, highlighting a shared vision of innovation, trade, and mutual growth. As the scent of Ugandan coffee permeates Riyadh, this event signifies the beginning of a new chapter where African excellence meets global opportunities.

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