Broadcast Coffee | DR Congo Muungano, Medium-Light Roast

Producer: Muungano Cooperative

Country: DR Congo

Region: Kiniezire, South Kivu

Process: Washed

Elevation: 1,480 - 2,000 masl

Variety: Bourbon

Roast Level: Medium-Light

Tastes Like: Apricot, Meyer Lemon

The Muungano Cooperative - taking their name from the Swahili word for "togetherness" - is made up of ~4,400 smallholder producers, half of which are women. Living true to their name, gender justice is a principal focus of the members, as is integrating farmers from different ethnic groups into the operation.

Muungano currently has 4 main washing stations (Nyangoma, Buchiro, Kinyezire, and Nyabirehe), and 3 micro washing stations (Karango, Bishenge, and Chembumba) which span a vast geographical area along the western shores of Lake Kivu, from Kinyezire (where Muungano’s headquarters are located) to Minova, an hour west of Goma.

One of Muungano’s most exciting recent developments is that, in January 2023 Muungano purchased a small dry mill in Goma from a USADF grant, and will not only be able to process this year’s coffee at the mill, but also offer value-add milling services to other coffee cooperatives who lack their own dry mill. Muungano has received confirmation from Nuru, the largest off-grid mini-grid solar in sub-Saharan Africa, that they would be able to run their dry mill operations using solar energy, lowering their carbon footprint and the expense of using a gas-powered generator.

Muungano is also strengthening its value chains by investing in some of its most important members: its women. In collaboration with Rebuild Women’s Hope cooperative and the French embassy, Muungano is currently doing a women’s literacy and economic skills project. They are also learning additional income-generating activities such as sewing and craft projects.