Inspire Africa Group (IAG) has announced a new partnership with Ugandan fashion house ARAPAPA by Santa Anzo to stage a cultural showcase at the 37th Annual Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) Convention in New Orleans, USA.
The event will run from August 29 to September 1, 2025 under the theme “Brewed in Uganda, Styled for the world!”
The collaboration reflects Inspire Africa’s mission to expand Uganda’s coffee revenues from the current USD $2billion to $5 billion within five years.
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The company is pursuing this goal through coffee exports and coffee tourism, and now plans to link its brand with fashion, cultural storytelling, and celebrity influence in the United States.
Globally, coffee is worth around $460 billion, yet Africa earns only $2.5 billion, mainly from unprocessed beans.
While a kilogram of green beans sells for about $2.5, processed and packaged coffee can fetch up to $40.
IAG says combining exports with tourism could raise Uganda’s annual visitor numbers from the current 704,012 to six million.
The company hopes to make coffee more than just a drink, transforming it into a lifestyle experience that promotes Uganda internationally.
“Just as Gulf countries have successfully used sports diplomacy to rebrand themselves as global destinations, Inspire Africa believes fashion diplomacy can be the new tool for Uganda, using coffee and couture to market the country as a hub for both coffee excellence,” the organisation stated.
The partnership has been formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Inspire Africa will make a strategic investment in the ARAPAPA Fashion Showcase, one of the highlights of the UNAA Convention.
Curated by Ugandan designer Santa Anzo, ARAPAPA will present a world-class showcase under the theme “Brewed in Uganda, Styled for the world.”
The show aims to blend two of Uganda’s strongest cultural exports, coffee and fashion, to celebrate national identity, heritage, and global pride.
Key features of the collaboration include a Limited-Edition Collection; A capsule line inspired by Ugandan coffee culture, styled for the diaspora, and unveiled internationally.
It will also include Coffee as Couture, where Taste Meets Texture- A fashion storytelling experience using earthy tones and textures drawn from Ugandan coffee.
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IAG is a Ugandan enterprise promoting coffee value addition, heritage branding, and international expansion.
In Ntungamo District, the group is building the Africa Coffee Park, a 150-acre hub that will host the region’s largest coffee processing plant.
Using freeze-dry technology, it will produce 10,000 MT annually of instant coffee, roasted and ground coffee, energy drinks, and coffee-based cosmetics.
The site will also feature a sports complex, a convention centre, a coffee academy, an exhibition space, and an IT park dedicated to Africa’s Artificial Intelligence vision.
Founded by celebrated designer Santa Anzo, ARAPAPA is one of Uganda’s leading fashion brands and a driving force behind Uganda International Fashion Week.
Known for bold storytelling and African-inspired couture, ARAPAPA has graced global runways and positioned Uganda as a creative hub.
The collaboration with Inspire Africa marks another boundary-breaking step, fusing fashion with Uganda’s coffee industry.
Looking ahead, the UNAA 2025 showcase is set to be only the beginning, with both IAG and ARAPAPA planning to expand their campaign, linking coffee, fashion, and tourism to present Uganda’s best to the world.
This long-term vision is aimed at positioning the country as a global destination for heritage, creativity, and excellence.
