Uganda’s coffee sector marked a historic breakthrough in May 2025, overtaking Ethiopia to become Africa’s leading coffee exporter—a milestone underscoring the country’s agricultural transformation and export strategy. With exports totaling 47,606.7 tonnes, surpassing Ethiopia’s 43,481 tonnes for the month, Uganda shipped 793,445 bags of coffee—an astonishing 43.6% rise compared to May 2024.

Earnings surged to a record $243.9 million for the month, contributing to $2.09 billion earned over a 12-month period from 7.43 million bags. This remarkable growth was propelled by deliberate government investment, enhanced production techniques, and a strong push for farmer empowerment and value addition.

While Ethiopia maintains a higher cumulative export volume for the fiscal year and is still targeting $2 billion in earnings by July 2025, Uganda’s performance in May signifies a bold shift in East Africa’s coffee dynamics—where innovation, policy alignment, and farmer-centric strategies are reshaping the region’s agricultural leadership.