Report Lauds Fund Remedy for Global Coffee Farmers


Report Lauds Fund Remedy for Global Coffee Farmers

A global fund mechanism to finance over 25 million coffee farmers globally was proposed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the International Coffee Organisation (ICO). The proposed global funding mechanism calls for collaboration among industry stakeholders, financial institutions, and public sectors to mobilise both public and private funds. It suggests leveraging blended finance strategies combining grants and investments to support sustainable development in the coffee sector. Currently, 5.5 million coffee farmers live in extreme poverty. The global demand for coffee is projected to rise by 2.2pc annually over the next two decades. According to a study by Columbia University, an estimated 10 billion dollars annually is required to advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in coffee-producing regions. Around 1.4 billion dollars in annual finance is needed for productivity enhancement and climate change adaptation. The initiative addresses critical sustainability challenges in the coffee sector, particularly focusing on climate change impacts and financial instability among growers. It underscores the urgent need for funding to tackle climate change and structural issues such as income disparities, regulatory constraints, price volatility, productivity challenges, quality standards, and market access barriers faced by coffee farmers. UNIDO's model includes the Ethiopian Coffee Fund, supported by the Italian Development Cooperation, which aims to provide concessional loans and technical assistance to support impactful investment opportunities through the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE). The funding proposals will be solicited from private enterprises, local cooperatives, and unions through a series of calls. It will be evaluated using an innovative impact assessment tool to rank them based on their potential impact, investment risks, and bankability.

[ssba-buttons]

Radar

Milkii App Disburses 25 Million Br in Collateral-Free Loans in Two Months

Oromia Bank's new collateral-free digital lending app, Milkii, has disbursed 25 million Br in loans without requiring collateral. Of this, 16 million Br has already been repaid, generating 1.4 million Br in revenue within just two months. Developed in partnership with Quantum Technology PLC, the app plans to make lending more accessible and inclusive, aligning with Oromia Bank's contribution to the Digital Ethiopia initiative. According to a press release, Milkii promotes financial inclusi...


Radar

Ethiopia Partners with UK to Ease Shipping Bottlenecks

The Ethiopian Freight Forwarders & Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) and the British International Freight Association (BIFA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on May 27, 2025, at Hilton Hotel Addis Abeba, to address skills gaps, customs delays, and corridor inefficiencies in the freight and logistics sector. The partnership focuses on technical cooperation, training, and regulatory reform. With over 90pc of trade dependent on the Djibouti corridor, rising congestion, customs...


Radar

Education Authority Sanctions Mishqen College for Rule Violations

The Education & Training Authority has issued a decisive directive last week, mandating legal action against Mishqen College for persistently defying regulatory orders and unlawfully continuing to offer higher education services. Mishqen College had previously been licensed to conduct undergraduate distance learning programs across multiple regions from 2019 to 2022. However, after serious regulatory breaches, the institution was ordered to cease all instruction, complete pending academic...