Strengthening Uganda’s Coffee Sector with Balim Investments

Across Uganda’s Mount Elgon region, smallholder farmers cultivate some of the world’s finest Arabica coffee under dense agroforestry systems. Yet, despite producing a globally sought-after commodity, many face barriers to scaling production, accessing premium markets, and securing fair compensation.

That’s where Mount Elgon Agroforestry Communities Cooperative Enterprise Ltd (MEACCE) steps in. As a secondary cooperative, MEACCE aggregates, processes, and exports Fair Trade & Organic-certified coffee, ensuring its network of farmer cooperatives has direct access to international buyers.

We’re excited to announce that under Balim Investments, we have added MEACCE to our portfolio of investee companies, providing them with working capital to increase their sourcing capacity, expand their farmer network, and strengthen supply chains.

Balim Investments—an impact venture founded by HEKS/EPER Swiss Church Aid, Somaha Foundation and iGravity,—provides financing and technical assistance to African SMEs that improve rural livelihoods through sustainable business growth.

A little about MEACCE.

Founded in 2017, MEACCE represents 13 primary farmer cooperatives, connecting over 3,255 coffee farmers (655 of whom are women) to Fair Trade and Organic-certified export markets. The cooperative acts as an aggregator, marketer, and exporter, ensuring smallholder farmers benefit from higher-value, ethically sourced trade channels while implementing climate-smart, sustainable farming practices.

Currently, MEACCE works with 3,255 farmers (655 women), providing:

• Market access – Aggregating and selling farmers’ coffee to premium international buyers
• Training & agronomy support – Helping farmers adopt sustainable coffee production practices
• Pre-financing & fair pricing – Offering advance payments to farmers while rewarding quality with premium pricing

Why This Investment Matters

Despite increasing global demand for sustainably sourced coffee, smallholder farmers often face barriers to scaling, and selling their produce at fair prices. MEACCE plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges by ensuring transparent, fair trade market access. However, with limited working capital, the cooperative is sometimes not able to purchase enough coffee from its members, restricting its ability to fulfill high-value export contracts.

With Balim’s investment, MEACCE is able to:

• Increase its coffee purchase volumes, ensuring stable and fair pricing for farmers
• Expand its farmer network to 5,500+ by 2028, integrating more smallholders into premium markets
• Invest in transportation & processing infrastructure, improving efficiency and export capacity
• Enhance farmer training programs, focusing on climate-smart agriculture & sustainability practices

Looking Ahead

By 2028, MEACCE aims to:

• Grow to 24 cooperatives, strengthening regional coffee trade
• Engage 4,100+ farmers, with a 35% female farmer participation rate
• Train 90% of new farmers in best agronomic practices

By bridging financing gaps for MEACCE, Balim is helping smallholder coffee farmers build resilient businesses, increase incomes, and promote sustainable agricultural practices in Uganda.

Interested in partnering with us? Learn more about Balim Investments

About Balim Investments

Launched in 2021 as a collaboration between HEKS/EPER and iGravity, and formally established as an investment company with the Somaha Foundation in 2024, Balim Investments is an impact investment vehicle providing debt financing to SMEs—primarily in sustainable agriculture, water, and renewable energy.