Uganda is hosting representatives from over 25 African coffee-producing countries at a high-stakes conference in Kampala.
The conference aimed at fast-tracking compliance with the European Union’s Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR), a policy that threatens to lock out non-compliant exporters from the EU market by December 30, 2025.
Held at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the conference comes as African governments and coffee industry players scramble to meet the EU’s stringent requirements that all coffee sold in Europe must be legally produced, traceable to the farm of origin, and grown in areas free of deforestation.
For Uganda, where coffee supports the livelihoods of an estimated 1.8 million small-scale farmers, the risk of exclusion poses not just an economic threat but a human one.
Analysts warn the regulation could deepen poverty and increase vulnerability in rural communities unless urgent action is taken.
“This conference allows African coffee producers to engage directly with European buyers, understand expectations, and find shared solutions,” said David Sengozi Kyeyune, Africa Regional Officer for the Team Europe Initiative.
Africa contributes around 25% of coffee imported into the EU, and in 2023 alone produced roughly 13 million 60-kilogramme bags—about 10% of global output.
Nearly 60% of Africa’s exports, or 7.8 million bags, are destined for Europe, making compliance with the EUDR crucial for the continent’s smallholder-driven coffee sector.
Karolina Hedstrom, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Uganda, noted that despite ongoing investments and reforms, challenges such as limited traceability, poor infrastructure, inadequate funding, and low awareness among farmers still hamper readiness.
“Despite progress and investments, the coffee sector still faces critical challenges that require urgent attention,” she said.
Frank Buizer, agricultural counsellor at the Netherlands Embassy, stressed that the EU was committed to a collaborative rather than punitive approach.
“We are supporting readiness, not just imposing EU measures. We aim to engage in all value chains, minimize environmental pressure, collaborate, and learn from other countries’ approaches,” Buizer said.
At the national level, Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries says it has made significant strides to prepare for the transition.
Dr Gerald Kyaalo, commissioner for coffee development, said the government had already registered a large number of coffee farmers and engaged stakeholders on compliance measures.
“We are approximately 50% compliant with EU market requirements,” Kyaalo reported, signalling that while progress has been made, much work remains.
The conference is focused on assessing Africa’s readiness for the new trade environment, identifying practical challenges, and laying out a roadmap for timely compliance.
It brings together policymakers, farmer cooperatives, exporters, EU trade officials, and innovators developing tools for sustainability and traceability.
Stakeholders see this gathering as critical to ensuring that African coffee continues to flow to its most important market without compromising the livelihoods of millions of smallholders.
As the countdown to the EUDR deadline intensifies, the consensus among participants is clear: only coordinated, well-funded, and inclusive action can keep African coffee competitive on the global stage.