Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo has launched Nonda Coffee Shop & Roastery in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, marking a new chapter in Uganda’s journey to export not just beans but brand value, taste and national identity.
The launch introduces Uganda’s first single origin coffee franchise in the Middle East, positioning the country’s premium Arabica and Robusta beans directly in one of the world’s most dynamic hospitality markets. The café, located in Riyadh, targets an international clientele of residents, business travellers and pilgrims visiting the Kingdom.
Speaking at the unveiling, Alupo described the initiative as a milestone in Uganda’s coffee value addition drive. She said it demonstrates the government’s push for industrialisation and commercial agriculture by ensuring that more Ugandan produce reaches consumers in its finished form.
“We are proud to see Ugandan coffee showcased on such a global platform,” she said. “Our vision is to move every farmer from subsistence to commercial agriculture so that more Ugandans participate in the money economy.”
The project was established through a partnership between Nonda Commodities Limited and Ingazi Group International, a Saudi-based investment firm. It forms part of the Value at Source initiative, which seeks to process and package Ugandan coffee domestically before exporting to premium markets.
According to the organisers, Nonda Riyadh is only the beginning. More outlets are planned across the Kingdom to serve Uganda’s signature single origin coffee and build a global identity for East Africa’s second-largest coffee exporter.
The launch comes at a time when Uganda’s coffee earnings are soaring. Export volumes rose from 7.8 million 60-kilogram bags in FY 2022/23 to 8.2 million bags in FY 2023/24, while revenues climbed to USD 1.14 billion, up from USD 845 million the previous year.
To strengthen domestic value addition, the government has backed the development of the Luwero Coffee Park, a large processing facility expected to handle up to 35,000 metric tons of coffee annually. Once operational, the plant will roast, grind, and package beans for export and local consumption turning Uganda from a raw bean supplier into a brand powerhouse.
Alupo emphasised that Uganda’s engagement with Saudi Arabia represents more than trade; it is a partnership built on mutual investment and respect. The Riyadh launch also strengthens the two nations’ bilateral cooperation, opening pathways for agro-industrial ventures, tourism and cultural exchange.
“This venture will not only promote Uganda’s coffee but also create employment, strengthen our trade balance, and inspire our farmers to pursue quality,” she noted.
For Nonda Commodities, the move aligns with its mission to build global recognition for Ugandan coffee while maintaining traceability from farm to cup. The company’s representatives said the outlet in Riyadh would serve as a “living showcase” of Uganda’s coffee heritage from fertile soils in Mount Elgon, Rwenzori, and West Nile, to the modern café culture of the Gulf.