Equity Bank set to give Zigoti Coffee expansion plans a big boost

What the report says

Equity Bank Uganda is weighing expanded commercial credit for Zigoti Coffee Works Limited as the Ugandan coffee company seeks to grow production, add value and reach new markets. According to The Independent Uganda, the discussions came after a Bank visit to Zigoti’s farm and processing facilities in Kampala on 15 September 2026, following the Trade and Investment Roadshow 2026 held at the Marriott Hotel in the city.

The report says the two sides discussed possible financing for equipment, working capital and support for smallholder farmers, along with financial literacy and broader value-chain services. Zigoti Coffee, a family business established in 1984 and later incorporated in the early 1990s, has built operations around sourcing, processing, grading, warehousing and exporting coffee. It has markets in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa, and currently trades both Robusta and Arabica.

Chairman Charles Roscoe Nsubuga said the company wants to move further into specialty and quality coffee, while improving wet processing and experimenting with fermentation to attract higher prices. He also stressed that access to finance for farmers and exporters remains important. The company says it works with farmer groups, women and youth, and provides training and extension support.

The piece also notes that Equity Bank’s delegate from South Sudan saw potential for regional market links, including in South Sudan. More broadly, the engagement reflects how lenders are increasingly looking at agricultural value chains, not only individual businesses, when assessing credit and growth opportunities.