Unveiling Congolese Coffee Gems: A Showcase of Quality and Economic Empowerment

Celebrating Congolese Coffee Excellence on the Global Stage

The recent 'Best of Congo Cooperatives' green coffee competition, in its second iteration, brought to light the outstanding quality of coffee cultivated in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A significant number of coffee samples from the region achieved impressive scores, surpassing the 88-point mark, signaling their premium status in the specialty coffee world.

A Collaborative Effort for Sustainable Growth

This prestigious competition and the subsequent online auction, which concludes on Friday, August 22nd, are the fruits of a strategic partnership between African Coffee Connect, a UK-based organization, and the CongoAgri Platform, operating within the DRC. Their combined efforts have made available highly traceable arabica coffee microlots, originating from 20 distinct producer cooperatives across the DRC. These lots vary in size, offering a diverse selection to potential buyers.

Innovative Market Approach and Global Reach

Adopting an inventive market strategy, the competition unfolded simultaneously in two key locations: Goma in the Eastern DRC and New York City. The New York event included a public tasting session hosted by Counter Culture Coffee, allowing a wider audience to experience these unique coffees. This dual-location approach builds upon the success of the inaugural event, which took place concurrently in Goma and London, England.

Empowering Communities Amidst Challenges

Beyond the promotion of high-quality coffee, the core mission of this competition and auction program is to foster economic and social resilience among Congolese coffee farmers. This initiative is particularly vital given the escalating civil unrest in the North Kivu and South Kivu regions of Eastern DRC, areas critical to coffee cultivation. By providing direct market access and fair prices, the program aims to create sustainable livelihoods for those impacted by conflict.

Testimonials to Quality and Collaboration

Jennifer Yeatts, a coffee buyer for Higher Grounds Coffee Roasters, expressed her consistent admiration for Congolese coffees, particularly highlighting the complexity and vibrancy of the recent Kivu region lots. Jim Ngokwe, founder of Optimist Coffee Traders, lauded the strong cross-continental cooperation observed among the judging panels in New York City and Goma, as well as the mutual support among the participating cooperatives, underscoring the collective excitement surrounding the auction.