Tianjin, China – The 2026 Tianjin International Coffee Industry Expo and the World Coffee Trade Cooperation Conference brought together senior Chinese government leaders, diplomats, business executives, industry associations, and global coffee stakeholders to advance international cooperation and sustainable growth in the coffee industry.
Uganda was proudly represented by H.E. Ambassador Oliver Wonekha, accompanied by members of staff from the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Beijing. The Ambassador delivered a keynote address and joined the distinguished Chinese and international leaders during the official opening ceremony, reaffirming Uganda’s growing strategic partnership with China in coffee trade and investment.
In her keynote address, Ambassador Wonekha reaffirmed Uganda’s position as Africa’s leading coffee exporter and the birthplace of Robusta coffee, highlighting the country’s premium Arabica and Fine Robusta coffees, record exports of over 8.6 million bags valued at approximately US$2.3 billion in the year ending May 2026, and the launch of the national coffee brand, “Uganda Coffee – It’s in Our Nature.” She welcomed China’s 100% zero-tariff policy for African products as a transformative opportunity to elevate Uganda–China trade and investment to new heights under the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The Ambassador Wonekha showcased Uganda’s unique competitive advantages, including its fertile volcanic soils, equatorial climate, two annual harvest seasons, reliable year-round supply, investor-friendly policies, strategic location, and preferential access to regional markets of more than 1.5 billion consumers. She emphasized that Uganda offers exceptional opportunities not only for sourcing premium coffee but also for investment across the entire coffee value chain—from seedling production, commercial farming, irrigation, processing, roasting, instant coffee manufacturing, packaging, logistics, retail, café businesses, coffee tourism, smart agriculture, traceability systems, and other green technologies. She invited Chinese enterprises to establish long-term partnerships that will enhance value addition, technology transfer, industrialization, job creation, and sustainable economic growth in both countries, while reinforcing resilient and efficient supply chains.
The Embassy of the Republic of Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to converting the strong interest generated during the Expo into concrete investments, expanded market access, long-term sourcing partnerships, and mutually beneficial commercial ventures. Concluding her address, Ambassador Wonekha extended a warm invitation to the global business community to “Taste Uganda, Trade with Uganda, invest in Uganda, and Visit Uganda,” emphasizing that every cup of Ugandan coffee tells a story of quality, resilience, friendship, and shared prosperity. She noted that coffee will continue to serve as a powerful bridge connecting the peoples and economies of Uganda and China for generations to come.
The event was graced by Mr. Zhang Zhigang, former Vice Minister of Commerce of China and former Deputy Director of the Economic Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Mr. Pan Wei, Vice President of the China General Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Liu Xingguo, Deputy Director and Party Member of the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Commerce; Mr. Yang Hao, Secretary of the CPC Jinnan District Committee of Tianjin; Mr. Xu Fengcheng, Party Secretary and President of the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Li Bao, Deputy Secretary-General, Director of the Exhibition Department and President of the Purchasers Branch of the China General Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Wang Zhen, Director of the International Trade Promotion Committee of the China General Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Shan Shui, President of the Tianjin Consumption Circulation Promotion Association; and Mr. Yang Jianzhuang, Managing Director of Golden Summit Exhibition Group. Their participation reflected China’s unwavering commitment to promoting international trade, investment, and deeper economic cooperation.
Courtesy Photos
