• Sahel Capital raises Sukuma loan facility to $1.8 million
• Funding to boost exports, sourcing, farmer market access
• Uganda exported 8.4 million coffee bags in 2025

Nigeria-based fund manager Sahel Capital has increased its financing to Ugandan coffee exporter Sukuma Commodities, raising its loan facility to $1.8 million from the $1 million initially committed in 2024.

The transaction was executed through the Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa (SEFAA), Sahel’s agriculture-focused investment vehicle in sub-Saharan Africa. The expanded facility will fund working capital and support growth in export volumes.

Since Sahel Capital’s initial investment, Sukuma has grown exports by more than 60%, the investor said. The loan will also strengthen sourcing and processing and expand market access for partner farmers.

Sukuma sources robusta and arabica coffee from more than 2,300 smallholder farmers. It provides input financing and training in good agricultural practices before exporting to European traders and roasters, mainly in Italy, the Netherlands and Germany.

The partnership includes technical assistance. Sukuma must improve traceability and farmer registration to comply with European deforestation regulations, a key condition for maintaining access to EU markets.

The announcement comes as Uganda’s coffee sector gathers pace. The country exports about 95% of its production. In the first 10 months of 2025, Uganda exported 8.4 million 60-kg bags worth $2.4 billion, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Coffee accounts for more than 12% of Uganda’s total export earnings.

SG