The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, in collaboration with the Italian government and the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, has announced a loan aimed at supporting Ethiopian coffee producers, suppliers, and stakeholders across the sector’s value chain, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Italian government has approved a loan of 10 million euros (approximately 10.9 million USD) for the sector, with the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia responsible for administering the funds.

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Girma Amente stated that more than 5 million farmers and traders are involved in Ethiopia’s coffee production value chain. He highlighted that financial constraints remain a major challenge within the coffee sector, and the extended credit service from the Italian government is expected to significantly boost productivity.

He also pointed to the tangible improvements made over the past five years in increasing both coffee production and productivity, underlined by the Green Legacy Program, which has contributed to a rise in the country’s forest cover and the planting of billions of coffee seedlings.

Michael Mora, Director of the Italian Development Cooperation Agency, emphasized that the Italian government’s support reflects a commitment to the joint development efforts between the two nations. He noted that coffee is not only an economic asset for Ethiopia but also a key part of the nation’s identity.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia President Abe Sano acknowledged the obstacles affecting the coffee sector, including market fluctuations and production challenges. He reaffirmed that Ethiopia has the potential to produce world-class coffee, and cooperation is key to strengthening the sector’s value chain.