Fine Robusta: Africa’s new growth frontier in coffee
With global Arabica prices soaring, diversifying into Fine Robusta presents a timely opportunity for African producers to secure market access and increase farmer incomes.
The Robusta Coffee Agency of Africa and Madagascar (ACRAM) is leading the charge to position African Robusta as a premium coffee on the global stage. Working with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and regional partners, ACRAM is driving initiatives to improve coffee quality, create value through local roasting and branding, and boost domestic coffee consumption.
Ismaël Ndjewe Ndomba, Executive Secretary of ACRAM, shares insights on the agency’s vision for African Robusta, its role in the Fine Robusta movement and exports, and how coffee can drive economic transformation across the continent.
The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Global coffee markets are shifting. With Arabica prices are at an all-time high, buyers are seeking alternatives that maintain quality while offering price stability.
This is where Fine Robusta comes in. African Robusta-producing countries have an opportunity to differentiate their coffee, improve processing techniques, and access new markets beyond bulk commodity sales.
Together with the International Trade Centre (ITC)*, we are working to elevate Robusta quality and create direct commercial linkages for African producers. This means better income for farmers, investment in local value addition, and increased recognition for African coffee beyond its traditional role as a commodity export.
Quality is the foundation. To shift perceptions, we need to enhance every aspect of the value chain – from cultivation and processing to roasting and marketing.
ACRAM is focusing on:
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): Training farmers on optimal harvesting and post-harvest techniques to reduce defects and improve cup profiles.
- Certification and traceability: Encouraging sustainability certifications and digital traceability systems to enhance transparency.
- Processing innovations: Supporting investments in washed, honey, and natural processing methods to diversify flavour profiles.
- Market positioning: Promoting African Fine Robusta at international trade shows and through direct partnerships with specialty coffee buyers.
For example, our partnership with ITC has helped African coffee businesses showcase their Fine Robusta at the Paris Coffee Show, where we helped establish connections between African producers and European roasters. These engagements are essential for shifting buyer perceptions and proving that African Robusta is not just an alternative to Arabica but a premium coffee in its own right.
This is a key priority for ACRAM. Africa produces millions of bags of coffee annually, yet domestic consumption remains low. Strengthening local coffee culture is essential for economic sustainability. We are working on three core strategies:
The first is to encourage local roasting and branding. Coffee roasted in Africa retains more value and provides more employment than exporting green beans. We support MSMEs to develop consumer brands tailored to African tastes.
Next, we must work on developing a modern coffee culture. To that effect, we are promoting specialty coffee kiosks, barista training, and coffee festivals like Cameroon’s FestiCafé to create demand and appreciation for locally produced coffee.
Intra-African trade is another core area we are focusing on with our partners. Through initiatives like the recent coffee trade agreement between Gabon, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, we are creating direct trade between African nations, reducing dependency on volatile global markets.
We believe that African coffee should first be enjoyed by Africans. By boosting local demand, we can build a stable market that cushions farmers from international price fluctuations and strengthens regional value chains.
The key challenges are financing, infrastructure, and market access. Many smallholder farmers and small businesses struggle with access to capital for processing equipment, certification, and branding. Additionally, inadequate infrastructure – like storage and transportation – limits competitiveness.
To address these, ACRAM is facilitating financing for coffee businesses through regional banking partnerships and investment forums. We are also supporting technology adoption, including digital payment systems for coffee farmers and AI-driven quality assessment tools.
Finally, we are working on strengthening advocacy for policies that incentivize coffee processing and reduce trade barriers between African countries.
We invite them to look beyond stereotypes and discover the richness of African Robusta.
The work we are doing with ITC, European partners, and African producers is creating new opportunities for buyers to source high-quality, sustainable, and ethically grown Fine Robusta.
Now is the time to embrace the future of coffee – and Africa is leading the way.
*ACRAM is supported through the ACP Business-Friendly programme, implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States.
