Tanzania Seeks Italian Investment in Coffee Sector

Tanzania Urges Italian Investment in Coffee Sector

ROME, Italy — Tanzania has extended a call to Italian companies to invest in its coffee industry, highlighting opportunities to enhance the entire coffee value chain and drive mutual economic benefits.

Speaking at a high-level Italy-European Union event in Rome focused on strengthening partnerships with African nations, Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, emphasized the importance of expanding investment in Africa’s coffee sector.

The event brought together key stakeholders including global coffee giants Illy and Lavazza, international financial institutions such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), as well as representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The conference provided a platform to align strategic initiatives under Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa and the European Union’s Global Gateway (GG) initiative—complementary frameworks aimed at fostering development-oriented partnerships tailored to Africa’s unique needs.

In his address, Minister Kombo underscored the importance of value chain development in the coffee industry across the continent. He argued that increasing investment would not only improve livelihoods through job creation—particularly for youth—but also contribute to climate change mitigation.

“With prosperity in Africa, we can address climate challenges, as the vast forests on the continent serve as essential tools for carbon sequestration,” Kombo stated. “Moreover, increasing coffee production can strengthen environmental protection efforts while creating job opportunities for youth.”

Highlighting Tanzania’s conducive environment for coffee farming, Kombo invited stakeholders to explore investment in coffee cultivation and value addition, stressing the benefits for local farmers. “Lavazza and Illy always talk about coffee beans turning into beverages, but they don’t talk about the journey from the land to the bean—because without the bean, there is no Lavazza, no Illy,” he remarked.

He urged the industry to shift from dialogue to action, calling for structured implementation: “Let’s not be political. Let’s put in place an action plan, set timelines for implementation, and ensure we meet those deadlines. This is achievable.”

The Executive Secretary of the InterAfrican Coffee Organization, Solomon Rutega, also praised Tanzania for its leadership in the sector, referencing the recent G25 Coffee Conference held in the country. He noted that its resolutions—to enhance value from cultivation through to final consumption—align closely with Italy-Africa goals for cooperation in the coffee industry.