Efforts to reposition Nigeria as a major player in the global coffee industry are gaining momentum, with stakeholders projecting significant benefits for exports, foreign exchange earnings, employment generation, and rural development through the Nigeria Coffee Revival Initiative (NCRI).
The renewed push received further backing as the Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) announced plans for the Cocoa & Coffee Fiesta – Lagos 2026, a continental gathering expected to bring together policymakers, farmers, researchers, investors, and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond.
The two-day event is scheduled to hold on October 7 and 8, 2026, and is expected to serve as a platform for discussions on sustainability, productivity, trade opportunities, climate resilience, and the future of Africa's cocoa and coffee sectors.
Coffee Revival Seen as Economic Opportunity
Speaking at the weekend, Global President of COCEFAAA, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, said Nigeria's renewed commitment to reviving coffee production could unlock new economic opportunities while strengthening the country's agricultural export base.
According to him, the initiative is designed to support economic diversification while creating opportunities for farmers, women, and young people across the value chain.
Nigeria's coffee revival strategy, driven through the NCRI and supported by Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), is expected to complement ongoing efforts to improve cocoa productivity through integrated soil management programmes and collaborations with donor organizations.
Adegoke said the initiative would help expand Nigeria's export portfolio, create employment opportunities, improve farmers' incomes, strengthen rural economies, and build climate-resilient agricultural systems.
Cocoa and Coffee Markets Expected to Grow
Highlighting the growing global importance of both commodities, Adegoke noted that demand for cocoa and coffee continues to rise, creating opportunities for producing countries to capture greater value from the international market.
"Cocoa and Coffee sectors' values have been forecast to grow from the present $169.12b and $284.8b to $245.97b and &486.2b respectively, in the year 2035. Africa holds the ace in cocoa with about 70 per cent, while in coffee it is just about 12.5 per cent as a continent," he said.
The figures underscore the vast potential available to African countries, particularly as governments and industry stakeholders seek to move beyond the export of raw commodities and increase value addition across agricultural supply chains.
Fiesta to Bring Together Industry Stakeholders
Adegoke disclosed that the event is being organized through a broad partnership involving government institutions, research bodies, producing states, and private-sector stakeholders.
"Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Cocoa and Coffee producing states and other private partners from the two critical sectors both within and globally will be jointly hosting the Cocoa & Coffee Fiesta on the October 7 and 8, 2026," he said.
The event is expected to provide a platform for discussions on production challenges, sustainability standards, market access, financing, technology adoption, and regional cooperation.
Stakeholders from across the cocoa and coffee value chains are expected to participate, including farmers' groups, exporters, processors, policymakers, development agencies, and international partners.
Celebrating Africa's Leadership in Cocoa and Coffee
Adegoke praised the resilience of African countries that continue to play critical roles in global cocoa and coffee production despite facing challenges such as price volatility, climate change, and supply chain disruptions.
"COCEFAAA will continue to appreciate the great resilience of these countries in cocoa – Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, and others, for their consistency in cocoa production and Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Congo, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, for their coffee production contributions; Arabica, Robusta and specialty."
He noted that while Africa remains the dominant force in global cocoa production, the continent still has significant room to increase its share of the global coffee market through strategic investments and coordinated development efforts.
Addressing Farmers' Challenges
According to Adegoke, one of the major objectives of the alliance is to confront the long-standing economic and environmental challenges affecting farmers across the continent.
"The fiesta will further enable regional integration, synergy and coordination amongst the West, Central and East Africa countries to combat social – economic and environmental challenges. Africa one voice united alliance in cocoa and coffee will protect our farmers and value chains actors' investment as a key sectors."
He observed that years of fluctuating global prices have negatively affected farmers' livelihoods and slowed development across producing communities.
"Stakeholders, both within and beyond Africa countries are expected to attend the fiesta with other global partners in cocoa and coffee industries. Africa has continued to show resilience in the sustenance of the cocoa and coffee value chains despite the decade of price volatility in the sectors. The roller coaster experience has slowed down development and is the root cause of the Africa farmers' unstable livelihood over the years."
Official Launch of Pan-African Farmers' Alliance
Beyond the discussions and exhibitions, the Cocoa & Coffee Fiesta will also mark the formal launch of COCEFAAA, described as the first pan-African membership organization bringing together cocoa and coffee farmers across the continent.
Adegoke said the alliance aims to provide a stronger collective voice for farmers while promoting sustainability, fair pricing, market access, youth participation, and climate resilience.
"COCEFAAA will continue to amplify Africa farmers voices, strengthen cocoa and coffee production by engaging in sustainable practices, demanding for better income through fair pricing, collaborate on better access to market, eradicating child and forced labour in our supply chains, empower our youth and women as the future of the sectors and driving climate resilience through strategic collaboration with other stakeholders."
He added that the organization would continue to promote best agricultural practices capable of improving quality and meeting growing international requirements for sustainable and deforestation-free cocoa and coffee production.
"Our organisation would continue to mobilise our continent farmers to ensure good pre and post practices that guarantee premium and deforestation free cocoa and coffee sectors," he said.
Looking Ahead
With global demand for both commodities expected to rise substantially over the next decade, stakeholders believe Africa has a unique opportunity to strengthen its position in international markets while improving livelihoods for millions of farmers.
For Nigeria, the revival of the coffee sector represents more than an agricultural initiative. It is increasingly being viewed as a strategic economic opportunity capable of generating employment, increasing exports, boosting foreign exchange earnings, and supporting inclusive rural development.
As preparations begin for the Cocoa & Coffee Fiesta 2026, industry leaders hope the gathering will accelerate collaboration, attract investment, and reinforce Africa's role as a key driver of the future global cocoa and coffee economy.