The Central Union of Western Agricultural Cooperatives (UCCAO) inaugurated a new coffee roasting plant in Bafoussam on March 12, representing an investment of 1.05 billion FCFA. This initiative aims to strengthen local coffee processing and revitalize the coffee sector in Cameroon, which has been weakened for a long time.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbaïrobé, participated in the inauguration of this infrastructure, which was financed through a public-private partnership. The State contributed 700 million FCFA, while UCCAO invested 350 million FCFA. The unit is equipped to automate the entire processing chain, from hulling to grading and bagging of ground coffee, for both Arabica and Robusta varieties. Its production capacity is 6 tons in eight working hours.
According to Gabriel Mbaïrobé, this processing unit should stimulate coffee production in the Western region, while creating direct and indirect jobs. He sees it as a sign of renewal for a sector that has experienced difficulties in the past, as well as a concrete expression of the government's desire to accelerate local processing of agricultural products.
The Minister also announced the upcoming establishment of a production line dedicated to instant coffee. This expansion is part of an import-substitution strategy, aimed at reducing Cameroon's dependence on imports and encouraging local consumption. UCCAO also hopes to give producers more visibility by offering them new opportunities thanks to this investment.
UCCAO emphasizes the need to preserve the quality of Cameroonian coffee, which is renowned on international markets. After a period of decline due to the liberalization of the sector, the coffee sector is showing signs of recovery. In 2025, marketed volumes increased by 10% to reach 11,637 tons, representing a value of 3.5 billion FCFA, more than triple previous levels. This growth is mainly driven by Robusta, a segment in which Cameroon wants to strengthen its position.
Founded in 1958, UCCAO is the largest agricultural cooperative in western Cameroon. It brings together more than 100,000 farmers in six cooperatives. UCCAO's mission is to process and market coffee, and it has six hulling plants.
The inauguration of this processing unit marks an important step in the modernization of the Cameroonian coffee sector and demonstrates a desire to promote local products. Cameroon aims to position itself in higher value-added segments of the global coffee market.
