Can West Africa Capitalize On The Growing Demand For Coffee

Demand for coffee is growing globally - but despite much of it being grown on the continent, very little is roasted locally to be sold and drunk there. West African Entrepreneur Hadi Beydoun wants to change that.  In this week’s special episode of the Next Africa Podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja heads to Abijan in the Ivory Coast to meet Hadi, the founder of Cafe Continent, to find out how he’s planning to bring homegrown, home-roasted coffee to the African market. Then Bloomberg’s Soft Commodities reporter Mumbi Gitau gives her analysis of the state of the global coffee market and Africa’s place in it.

The Africa coffee market 

is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for specialty coffee, premium products, and sustainable practices. Here's an overview of the current market:
Market Size and Growth
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The Africa coffee market is projected to reach $8.2 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.1%.- The market size is expected to expand due to rising coffee consumption in emerging African economies, increasing interest in coffee-related beverages, and a shift towards modern coffee brewing methods.¹
Key Trends
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Specialty Coffee: Growing demand for high-quality, artisanal coffee experiences, particularly in urban centers.- Sustainability: Increasing focus on sustainable practices, fair trade, and eco-friendly production methods.- Ready-to-Drink Coffee: Rising popularity of RTD coffee beverages, especially in countries with high disposable incomes like South Africa.- Online Sales: Growing demand for online coffee sales, with e-commerce platforms offering a wide range of coffee products.²

Major Players
- Nestlé S.A.: A leading player in the Africa coffee market, with a strong presence in instant coffee and specialty coffee segments.- Unilever: Another major player, with a focus on sustainable sourcing and premium coffee products.- Local Producers: Countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda are emerging as key players in the Africa coffee market, with a focus on high-quality Arabica and Robusta beans.
Regional Insights
- South Africa: Dominates the Africa coffee market, with a strong consumer base and widespread coffee consumption culture.- 

Kenya: Known for its high-quality Arabica beans, Kenya is a significant player in the Africa coffee market.- Nigeria: Emerging as a key market, with growing demand for coffee beverages and coffee-related products.