Business
Climate change creates rising temperatures, drought and flooding which makes coffee more difficult to grow
ACCRA, Ghana, October 12, 2022/APO Group/ —
By Scott Coles, Coffee Business Executive Officer for Nestlé (www.Nestle.com) Central and West Africa
There is nothing quite like that first cup of coffee in the morning. For me, it’s a moment to gather my thoughts before the day really begins. However, this daily ritual isn’t something we can take for granted.
Climatologists have warned that without action, coffee farmers in Africa will lose their livelihoods. So, if we want to keep enjoying that precious cup, we need to ensure our coffee is sustainably sourced.
Coffee farming in Africa
The continent produces 12% of the world’s coffee, with over ten million farmers across 30 countries. Whilst demand for coffee is forecast to grow significantly, crops have been declining in Côte d’Ivoire, the largest coffee producer in West Africa.
Nestlé has been manufacturing coffee in Côte d’Ivoire for over 60 years, and we have seen first-hand the challenges farmers are facing.
Climate change creates rising temperatures, drought and flooding which makes coffee more difficult to grow. Under this pressure, farmers have turned to environmentally harmful practices such as deforestation and are substituting old coffee trees for crops that are easier to grow.
The case for sustainable coffee farming and transition to regenerative agriculture
Nescafé has committed to invest over 1 billion Swiss francs globally
It’s not too late to reverse this decline. On a recent farm visit to the village of Yobouekro, I saw for myself the impact climate change is having. I met with Amani Ahou, a female coffee farmer who, until recently planned to abandon her plantation as the crop from her aged trees had fallen to depressingly low levels.
Over the last few years, Amani has received training from Nescafé agronomists. She has learned pruning techniques, composting and the importance of planting shade trees. She is now more upbeat about the prospect of reviving her coffee farm. ‘My plantation has rejuvenated, my old trees are starting to flower again, and are producing good coffee’, she said.
It was great to see for myself how improving technical knowledge, building stronger partnerships between farmers and industry can have a real and lasting impact on farmers like Amani.
Regenerative agricultural techniques like these play a critical role in the future of coffee farming. They will improve soil health, restore water cycles, increase biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By planting more coffee trees and encouraging greater biodiversity, farmers can create an environment for bees, insects and birds to thrive on their farms. This will have a positive impact on the ecosystem and reduce the effects of climate change.
The responsibility and cost for transitioning to regenerative agriculture cannot lie solely with the farmers. It’s been 10 years since we launched the Nescafé plan, during this time we have worked closely with farmers to improve agricultural practices, sharing our knowledge and expertise from across the planet. The plan builds farming skills to help farmers produce higher quality beans and achieve higher premiums, so they can support their families and contribute meaningfully to their local communities.
However, we know there is much more to be done, which is why we are going further and last week announced the Nescafé Plan 2030 (https://bit.ly/3Vk8yCL) to accelerate regenerative agriculture, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve coffee farmers’ livelihoods.
Nescafé has committed to invest over 1 billion Swiss francs globally. The aims of the plan are:
- 100% of our coffee to be sourced responsibly by 2025
- 20% of coffee sourced from regenerative agricultural methods by 2025 and 50% by 2030.
In Côte d’Ivoire, we are committed to support farmers that take on the risk and costs associated with transitioning to regenerative agriculture. We will be piloting a financial scheme which includes conditional cash incentives for adopting regenerative agriculture practices.
We have a long way to go, but if the whole coffee industry in Africa supports this transition to regenerative agriculture, we will ensure no farmer is left behind, so we can continue to uplift lives and livelihoods with every cup we drink.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nestlé
Events
As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world
The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation
Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.
Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.
The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.
“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.
“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”
The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.
Key challenges driving the debate
Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:
This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy
Global Realignment & New Partnerships
How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.
Financing Africa’s Future
The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.
Strategic Value Chains
Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.
Digital Transformation & Technology
Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.
The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.
Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.
Business
Zion Adeoye terminated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLG due to serious personal and professional conduct violations
Business
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Strengthens Partnership with the Republic of Djibouti through US$35 Million Financing Facility
-
Energy3 days agoTrinidad & Tobago Prime Minister (PM) to Address Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2026 Amid Multi‑Billion‑Dollar Energy Investment Surge
-
Business3 days agoCGTN: Vision 2030: China’s tech blueprint reshaping global innovation
-
Business3 days agoEquatorial Guinea, Chevron Sign Aseng Agreement, Strengthening GEPetrol Participation
-
Energy2 days ago
African Energy Chamber (AEC) Endorses Kigali’s Africa CEO Forum as the Continent’s Strategic Hub
-
Business3 days agoSouth Africa Joins Afreximbank, Announces US$8bn Country Programme
-
Business3 days ago
Benedict Peters and Aiteo Group: Defining an African Energy Champion
-
Energy2 days ago
Investors Look to Paris to Gauge Africa’s 2026 Energy Pipeline
-
Energy3 days ago
From Stalled Talks to Breakthroughs: Yoyo-Yolanda Signals New Chapter for the Gulf of Guinea