KAMPALA: The Founder of JADA Coffee, a fast growing beverage on Ugandan supermarket shelves has been invited as part of a panel to speak at the New Africa-Franc Summit in Paris this week.
Ms. Jackie Arinda is the CEO of JADA Coffee, a Ugandan coffee brand that has taken the nation by storm. JADA Coffee is also a proud sponsor of this website’s science and technology communication philosophy and content.
“I have the honour to invite you to the New Africa-France Summit, which will be held in Montpellier on 8 October 2021,” an invitation letter signed by Mr. Benoît Verdeaux, Secretary-General of the New Africa-France Summit intones.
According to French President Macron’s wishes and following up on the speech he gave in Ouagadougou on 28 November 2017, this Summit will aim to establish a new perspective and help develop the forms Africa and France’s relationship could take in the future.
“It will mark an important shift with its unique format, without institutional authorities, the central role given to young people and civil society of Africa and France, and the strong involvement of African Diasporas in France,” Mr Verdeaux informed Ms. Arinda.
Ms. Arinda is one of the upcoming young women entreprenuers who are hell bent on creating a difference in the lives of coffee farmers by adding value to their coffee and packaging its roasted form both the local and international markets.
Ms. Arinda was recognized with the invite for her work with rural women coffee farmers in Bugisu and Buganda regions.
The Summit will bring together nearly 3,000 businesspeople, scientists, students, artists, intellectuals, athletes and association representatives, women and men.
It has been formatted around five major themes: Doing business and innovating/Feeding, providing care, protecting/Heritage and culture/Citizen engagement/Sports.
“We would be very honoured if you would join the group of businesspeople participating and invite you to attend three events: – The Ambition Africa days to be held by Business France on 5 and 6 October at the Ministry of the Economy and Finance in Paris, The Bpifrance Inno Génération (BIG) to be held by BPI France at the Paris Bercy Arena on 7 October, and The New Africa-France Summit attended by President Macron on 8 October at the Sud de France Arena in Montpellier.
Ms. Arinda’s travel and accommodation costs while in France have been covered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs from October 4 to October 10, 2021.
“I am counting on seeing you in Paris and Montpellier so that we can work together to reinvent France and Africa’s relationship,” Secretary- General Verdeaux wrote.
Ms. Arinda told us she is excited by this opportunity.
“This is a great step for us as young people and for the country, but most especially my farmer groups.”
The Chairman JADA Coffee, Journalist Arinaitwe Rugyendo welcomed the news in a tweet.
“Small step for JADA Coffee; Giant leap for Uganda. Our CEO shall represent well. Grab yourself a cup of JADa Coffee.”
Several African Heads of State will also be attending the summit.
According to the programme that has been shared with this website, some of the areas that will be tackled at the summit include; Citizen engagement and democracy, Doing business and innovating, Higher education, research and innovation, Culture, heritage and cooperation, Cultural and creative industries, Sport and engagement.