By Josephine Sesay
A rare and long-overlooked coffee species native to Sierra Leone could hold the key to safeguarding the global coffee industry from climate change, according to groundbreaking new research led by the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI).
Published on August 14 in the journal Frontiers in Genetics, the study highlights the remarkable qualities of Coffea stenophylla, a species indigenous to Sierra Leone. The plant shows exceptional heat tolerance while offering a flavour profile that rivals and may even surpass the world-renowned Arabica coffee.
This discovery positions Sierra Leone at the forefront of global coffee research, said lead scientist Dr. Paul M. Lahai of SLARI, By conserving and utilizing the genetic diversity of C. stenophylla, we can help secure the future of coffee production for millions of farmers worldwide.
With rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increasing disease pressure threatening traditional coffee crops such as Arabica and Robusta, the hunt for resilient alternatives has become urgent. Researchers say C. stenophylla could be that alternative.
Unlike Arabica, which thrives in cooler climates, C. stenophylla is naturally adapted to hotter, more humid conditions traits that make it well-suited for regions where Arabica production is increasingly under threat. Importantly, the species also delivers a high-quality taste described as complex, sweet, and comparable to premium global coffees.
The international research team, supported by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and Sierra Leone’s Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (AVDP), studied 143 C. stenophylla plants from SLARI’s gene banks and protected forests. Through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), they identified thousands of genetic markers linked to vital traits such as heat tolerance, flowering time, seed structure, and resilience against environmental stress.
Researchers also uncovered evidence of selective sweeps genetic adaptations shaped by Sierra Leone’s unique seasonal climate. These traits, they argue, could be harnessed to breed more resilient and productive coffee plants on a commercial scale.
Once widespread in West Africa’s forests, C. stenophylla has declined sharply due to habitat loss and competition from higher-yielding Robusta varieties. But with targeted breeding, Lahai and his team believe the species can be developed into a high-performing crop without losing its climate resilience or premium quality.
This is a game-changer not just for Sierra Leone but for coffee growers across the globe, Lahai emphasized, we’re talking about securing the livelihoods of over 100 million people who depend on coffee farming.”
With the global coffee industry valued at more than $45 billion annually, the successful integration of C. stenophylla into breeding programs could transform the sector. Experts say it would diversify the global coffee gene pool, reduce vulnerability to climate shocks, and open new economic opportunities for African producers.
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, which backed the research, hailed the breakthrough as a milestone for both conservation and innovation, officials pledged continued support for safeguarding the country’s natural resources while advancing agricultural science.
As climate change continues to reshape the future of farming, Coffea stenophylla offers more than just resilience it offers Sierra Leone and the world a rare blend of hope and sustainability.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,18th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
