DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 26 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — TANZANIA is set to host 21st edition of African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition next year which is expect to attract over 2,000 participants.
The conference, to be held on Feb 26-28 next year, has been organised by the African Fine Coffee Association (AFCA) to support the Tanzanian government efforts to open up the country. AFCA is a member-based non-profit association that represents producers, traders, government and other support organisations across 11 member countries.
The conference will attract regional and international coffee professionals, including producers, traders, rosters as well as public and private sector officials and state representatives.
According to government statistics, the coffee production reached 82,000 tonnes per year from 50,000 tonnes per year in the last ten years.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam at a conference with coffee stakeholders, AFCA Board Chairman, Amir Hamza said that the conference will strengthen the commitment to fostering growth and collaboration within the industry across the continent.
“We are excited to bring the African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition back to Tanzania, a country with immense coffee potential. This event not only highlights the exceptional quality of African coffee but also strengthens our commitment to fostering growth and collaboration within the industry across the continental,” Hamza stressed.
“Our president has opened up the country and works very closely with the private sector, that’s why at our AFCA meeting I asked for the meeting to be held in Tanzania and the members agreed without objection. We see how the terms of investment and doing business have been simplified by removing many obstacles,” said Hamza.
He said the event is a cornerstone of their shared commitment to the growth and sustainability of Africa’s coffee industry. “We are here to ensure that the African coffee narrative is one of growth, sustainability and excellence.
“We are committed to supporting our farmers by providing training in quality, access to markets and advocacy for the coffee sector in Africa,” said Hamza.
Initially, launching the conference which aimed to announce the date for hosting, Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) Director General, Primus Kimaryo who represented the Ministry of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe said the conference was more than just a meeting of minds.
“It is a platform where farmers, exporters, traders and enthusiasts converge to exchange ideas, explore opportunities and build partnerships that will drive the future of our industry,” Kimaryo stressed.
Kimaryo said they will ensure that the African coffee narrative is one of growth, sustainability and excellence. He committed to support farmers by providing training in quality, access to markets and advocacy for the coffee sector in Africa. He said Tanzania is known for its breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality and is also renowned for producing some of the finest coffee in the world.
Meanwhile, he said their strategy is to reach 300,000 tonnes per year in the next five years.
“In Tanzania, our coffee production continues to increase, it has been an opportunity for us to see how we are bringing the world of coffee back to this country,” he said.
He said the event is the only opportunity for coffee farmers and all stakeholders of the coffee industry in Tanzania to showcase how they can find new markets and markets of both coffees which are Robusta and Arabica.
Kimaryo said the conference is one of the strategies to increase the country’s economy by strengthening the coffee crop which is a National strategic crop as well as strengthening the tourism sector. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
