Equity Bank Uganda is exploring new financing options for Zigoti Coffee Works Limited as the family-owned coffee company seeks to expand production, improve value addition and reach more international markets.
The discussions followed a visit by Equity Bank officials to Zigoti’s farm and processing facilities on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. The visit was part of the bank’s follow-up to the 2026 Trade and Investment Roadshow held at the Marriott Hotel in Kampala.
The two sides discussed possible financing for equipment, working capital and smallholder farmers, as well as financial literacy and other support across the coffee value chain.
Established in 1984, Zigoti Coffee Works has grown into an integrated coffee business involved in sourcing, processing, grading, warehousing and exporting coffee.
The company was incorporated between 1991 and 1992 and became Uganda’s first coffee export company to obtain an export licence following the liberalisation of the coffee sector.
It now exports both Robusta and Arabica coffee to markets in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa.
Charles Roscoe Nsubuga, Chairman of Zigoti Coffee Works, said the company is shifting its focus from bulk coffee trading to quality and specialty coffee, which can attract higher prices on international markets.
“If you cut our blood, the DNA is coffee. This is a third-generation coffee business. Our grandparents started with coffee, our parents continued, and now we are taking it to another level,” Nsubuga said.
Zigoti has won the Best Pearl Robusta Award four consecutive times from 2021 to 2024, with its coffee recording cupping scores of more than 85.
The company is also expanding its wet-processing operations and experimenting with fermentation and different coffee profiles to improve quality and attract higher premiums from international buyers.
Nsubuga said access to affordable financing would be important in supporting the company’s expansion while also helping smallholder farmers improve production.
“We are looking beyond one-off asset financing. We want to see how the wider value chain can be financed, including farmers who need inputs to produce quality coffee,” he said.
Under the proposed financing model, farmers could receive between Shs1 million and Shs2 million for farm inputs, with repayment linked to proceeds from their coffee sales.
Zigoti works with farmer groups, including women and youth, and provides extension services, financial literacy and training in good agricultural practices.
Thomas Muto Lo’Buda, Equity Bank’s delegate from South Sudan, said the partnership could also help Ugandan coffee exporters access more markets in the region.
“There is an opportunity to connect this business with markets and partners in South Sudan. We can look at the product, the financing required and how to build a sustainable partnership,” he said.
Zigoti already has buyers and markets in South Sudan, although some of its coffee currently reaches the market through informal road trade.
The company said there is potential to establish more formal distribution and dealership arrangements, including roasting, packaging and private-label coffee.
Zigoti also operates a 100-acre model farm where farmers receive training, while its processing facilities are used to improve quality control and traceability.
The company has been strengthening its traceability systems to meet growing international requirements, particularly from European buyers.
Nsubuga said financing coffee stocks and managing price risks remain challenges for local exporters competing with multinational traders.
“We need financial institutions to understand the coffee business and support local exporters. If we can stabilise the business, we can create better returns for farmers and contribute more to the economy,” he said.
Zigoti is also investing in ways to turn coffee waste into other products. These include a women-led briquette project and a planned black soldier fly project that will convert coffee waste into animal feed and organic fertiliser.
The company expects coffee volumes from its wet-processing operations to increase as new drying equipment is installed.
For Equity Bank, the engagement is part of its efforts to provide commercial financing and financial literacy support to businesses and farmers across agricultural value chains.
Nsubuga said having financial institutions visit farms and processing facilities helps them better understand the realities of agricultural businesses.
“When financial institutions come to the farm, they see the farmers, the gardens and the processing. It gives them a better understanding of the business and the challenges we face,” he said.