Improving the performance and growth of the Angolan coffee value chain

The coffee sector in Angola has a long history; during the colonial era, the country was one of the world’s four largest coffee exporters (220,000 tonnes of Robusta coffee, produced in 1973 by more than 500,000 families). The civil war that followed independence disrupted production and trade channels. Today, Angola produces just 6,200 tonnes of coffee, with an ageing farming population and plantations.

The aim of strengthening the coffee sector in Angola comes at a time when the Angolan Government (GoA) intends to accelerate the diversification of the economy to create opportunities in non-oil sectors. Coffee is a symbolic sector with significant potential for the government. Investment in the coffee value chain also helps to address broader social issues and contributes to contribute to poverty reduction, employment, the empowerment of women and sustainable agroecological practices in rural areas.

The European Union (EU) and the Angolan Government signed an agreement in January 2020 to support private sector development within the framework of PRODESI. Its first specific objective is to improve the performance and growth of the coffee value chain. This objective is managed by AFD under the project’s contribution agreement.

The project aims to:

-    enhance the attractiveness of the coffee value chain for a greater number of farmers in the three target provinces, by promoting and improving the production of coffee varieties specific to these areas.

-    increase production volumes, improve the quality and traceability system, establish processes to promote Angolan coffee, connect stakeholders across the value chain and promote exports.

-    to develop an inclusive and gender-sensitive approach, as well as sustainable and resilient family farming.

-    to strengthen dialogue and collaboration between public institutions such as the National Coffee Institute (INCA), the National Institute for SME Support (INAPEM), the National Agency for Investment and Export Promotion (AIPEX) and private sector stakeholders (producers, aggregators, processors and exporters).

The project comprises five components:

• Strengthening INCA and providing services to the coffee value chain

• Building the capacity of producers, young people and women

• Implementing quality management principles and traceability throughout the value chain

• Developing a market information system along the value chain and supporting coffee promotion and exports

• Project coordination and management

•    Production of 3.6 million coffee seedlings following the establishment of 6 central nurseries and 29 community nurseries

•    Recruitment of 52 extension workers, enabling the identification of 2,356 farmers receiving technical assistance

•    Distribution of 155,000 seedlings to 247 producers

•    Conduct of 11 strategic advisory sessions aimed at redefining critical issues within the value chain, such as: (i) the characterisation of Robusta coffee varieties produced in Angola; (ii) the development of a regulatory framework for the coffee sector, including an institutional assessment of INCA; (iii) the mapping of professional and independent support services for producers in the three provinces where the project is being implemented, and the organisation of dialogue between stakeholders in the coffee value chain; and (iv) the study on coffee consumption in Angola.

•    Refurbishment of the INCA warehouse at the Port of Luanda

•    Organisation of the 2nd National Coffee Festival