Freetown, 2nd November 2026– Sierra Leone is seeking to transform its coffee industry from a volatile export trade into a more stable and profitable sector, following the country’s decision to join a regional initiative aimed at improving quality, traceability and access to premium international markets.
The move comes after the country earned approximately US$4.82 million from coffee exports in 2025, generated from 952 metric tonnes of coffee shipped abroad. While the earnings underscore coffee’s importance as a source of foreign exchange, industry figures reveal significant fluctuations in export volumes over recent years, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the sector and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Customs and trade data show that coffee exports have experienced sharp swings, falling from 1,951 metric tonnes in 2019 to 637 metric tonnes in 2021 before rebounding to 2,009 metric tonnes in 2022. Exports later declined to 1,219 metric tonnes in 2023, surged to a six-year high of 2,908 metric tonnes in 2024 and dropped again to 952 metric tonnes in 2025.
The unpredictable nature of the market presents challenges for farmers who must make long-term investment decisions, including replanting coffee trees that can take several years before producing commercially viable harvests.
In a bid to address these challenges, Sierra Leone joined the Regional Coffee Value Chain Declaration in Marrakech in May 2026 and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Coffee Hub. The agreement focuses on strengthening post-harvest handling, quality assurance, traceability systems, aggregation and investment readiness across the coffee value chain.
Officials believe the partnership could help position Sierra Leone’s coffee industry to capture greater value in international markets by shifting focus from export volumes to higher-quality and speciality coffee products.
Particular attention is being given to Stenophylla, a rare coffee species native to Sierra Leone that has attracted growing international interest for its unique qualities. Industry stakeholders view the species as a potential gateway to premium niche markets, offering opportunities for higher returns than traditional bulk coffee exports.
The Government expects the partnership to improve prices paid to farmers and increase the share of coffee marketed as traceable and speciality grade products. The impact of the initiative on farmer incomes and export performance is expected to become clearer from the fourth year of implementation.
As Sierra Leone seeks to diversify its export base and boost agricultural earnings, policymakers see coffee as a sector with significant untapped potential, particularly if investments in quality, branding and market access can translate into more stable and higher-value export revenues.
