The value of Uganda's exports in February jumped 66.8% year-on-year, helped by higher earnings from shipments of gold and coffee, the finance ministry said in a report.

During the month, the east African country shipped goods worth $1.4 billion, up from $839.3 million exported in the same month last year, a report seen by Reuters on Monday showed.

Uganda, which is Africa's largest exporter of coffee, has also emerged a major processor and exporter of bullion in recent years.

The surge in the value of gold export earnings "was largely due to higher global gold prices supported by increased demand for gold as a safe-haven asset amid geopolitical uncertainties, as well as continued reserve diversification by central banks," the report said.

Exports driver

Uganda's export earnings in recent months. The Ministry of Finance, last December, shared merchant goods rose to $1.5 billion in October 2025 from $769.6 million in the same month in 2024.

Coffee has been a key driver of the surge, with Uganda remaining Africa’s largest exporter as earnings rose on the back of high global prices and stronger output.

Government replanting programmes and favourable weather helped lift production, while rising cocoa exports also contributed to higher overall export revenues, according to official data.

Uganda's earnings from gold shipments also more than tripled to $964.6 million in October from revenues earned in the same month a year ago, according to Bank of Uganda data.