The ICO is the main intergovernmental organisation for coffee. It brings together exporting and importing countries to tackle the challenges facing the world coffee sector through international cooperation. Uganda signed an agreement with the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) in 2007. The 2007 agreement was the seventh agreement since 1962. However, this agreement expired in 2017 hence the need for a new agreement.

In spite of the above, Uganda submitted a number of conditions to ICO to be considered within two years if Uganda is to renew its subscription. Among these conditions was the request for Uganda to be exporters of value-added coffee and not exporters of green beans as the organisation demands, reducing the exorbitant taxes on Ugandan coffee, a transparent pricing mechanism, among others. With a target of 20 million bags by 2025, it is critical that Uganda’s coffee gets favourable trade terms to support growth of her coffee industry at local and global level.