"The fact that the oldest African economic organisation amongst many is just 25 years is only symbolic. The fact that this organisation is the Interafrican agency for coffee is also another symbol. The significance of the first symbol to me can be explained as follows: Africa, in spite of its great age as a continent; cradle of humanity came late to the concert of modern nations. Since the continent is hardly at the age of adolescence, there is still hope Concerning the second symbol, it shows the importance of coffee in the economic life of African countries. There was an early awareness of this phenomenon..."