At the foot of Mount Rwenzori, in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kawa Kanzururu – a cooperative whose name means ‘coffee of eternal snow’ – is transforming the coffee and cocoa sector with support from Enabel’s Trade for Development Centre (TDC). Founded in June 2014 near Butembo, Kawa Kanzururu brings together 2,500 Arabica coffee producers, 1,200 Robusta coffee growers and 1,500 cocoa producers, with an annual output of 195 tonnes of commercial coffee and 160 tonnes of cocoa.
The TDC initially supported Kawa Kanzururu in cost control, negotiations with its clients, and the production of organic and Fairtrade-certified coffee. “This coaching has changed the way we work,” says Roger Kasereka, the cooperative’s director. Today, by funding seedlings and a washing station, the TDC is enhancing the quality and sustainability of a coffee that captivates with its unique aromas, prized by roasters such as Cafés Rombouts and Malongo.
A revival rooted in cooperation
Supported by Enabel’s Trade for Development Centre (TDC), the Virunga Foundation, Rikolto and commercial partners such as Rombouts Coffee, Kawa Kanzururu is reviving a coffee supply chain that was abandoned in the 1990s due to armed conflict and a lack of investors in the region.
In 2012, the Belgian NGO VECO, now known as Rikolto, encouraged farmers to form cooperatives, leading to the establishment of Kawa Kanzururu in June 2014 with 500 producers. Rikolto then adopted a co-investment approach: the producers provided the land and built sheds, whilst the NGO supplied machinery and shade nets to set up eight micro-washing stations, processing the coffee using the wet method. “This participatory model laid the foundations for our success,” explains Roger Kasereka. Today, the cooperative has 26 decentralised micro-processing stations, enabling producers to deliver their cherries without having to travel long distances. Each micro-station processes around one tonne of cherries per day, facilitating market access.
“Our mission is to ensure a fair income whilst preserving
our environment,” says Roger Kasereka, director of the cooperative.
To join Kawa Kanzururu, each member must own a plot of land, pay a membership fee of $50 and deliver their entire harvest to the cooperative. The cooperative now comprises 2,500 Arabica growers, 1,200 Robusta growers and 1,500 cocoa farmers. Twenty per cent of the members grow both coffee and cocoa. “We rely on bank loans at 12% interest, which is a heavy burden,” says Roger Kasereka. Rikolto played a key role in securing a guarantee from KBC via the financial institution Le Grenier, unlocking $150,000 in working capital. Root Capital supplemented this support with an equivalent line of credit, but the increase in production, reaching 10 containers of Arabica – approximately 195 tonnes – requires additional funding.
The transformative support of the TDC
Between 2020 and 2022, Enabel’s Trade for Development Centre strengthened Kawa Kanzururu through coaching provided by Raf Van den Bruel and Guy Callebaut, improving management, marketing and coffee quality. Roger Kasereka highlights the impact of this support: “This coaching has transformed the way we work.” As it did not have a firm grasp of its production costs, the cooperative previously offered inconsistent prices to buyers: $4 one day and $5 the next. Thanks to the TDC’s support, the cooperative has developed a dashboard. This details fixed and variable costs and enables sales prices to be set with full knowledge of the facts.In 2025, Roger Kasereka checks the New York Stock Exchange daily to negotiate prices.
The coaching has also improved communication and contract-drafting skills, preventing setbacks such as the one in 2018 with a client in Lyon, which was caused by poor communication and the lack of Fairtrade certification. In terms of quality, Raph Van den Bruel has trained a team of tasters and supported the establishment of a laboratory, now housed by the cooperative despite energy supply challenges. This laboratory analyses micro-lots, ensuring consistent quality. The TDC has also helped develop a strategic plan, aligning the cooperative’s ambitions with the demands of the international market.
New funding from the TDC is supporting an ambitious project launched in 2025: the production of seedlings for Arabica and Robusta coffee, cocoa and shade trees, as well as the construction of a washing station capable of processing 3 to 5 tonnes of cherries per day. Unlike micro-stations, this centralised station will standardise quality, reducing variations between villages. “The seedlings will enable the renewal of ageing plantations and increase production, whilst the shade trees will provide protection against global warming,” explains Roger Kasereka.
Strong commercial partnerships
In 2018, the Virunga Foundation, through Adélard Palata, trained Kawa Kanzururu in coffee sample preparation, paving the way for contracts with Malongo, a French roaster, via the Swiss exporter CaféMa, as well as with Volcafé and Rombouts Koffie. “Adélard taught us how to analyse quality and win the trust of roasters,” reports Roger Kasereka. Exports pass through the port of Mombasa, via the Congolese transit company Temka, and then on to Antwerp in Belgium. Malongo particularly values the consistency of Kawa Kanzururu coffee, which is Fairtrade and organic certified and meets the expectations of European consumers.
At the same time, the cooperative has diversified its production into cocoa, in response to a request from producers. By 2025, it will produce 100 tonnes of commercial cocoa and 60 tonnes of speciality cocoa, fermented in a centre built with the support of the Virunga Foundation. “Our producers called for the inclusion of cocoa and Robusta to secure their incomes,” explains Roger Kasereka. “This diversification strengthens our economic resilience”.
Challenges in an unstable context
Despite its successes, Kawa Kanzururu faces major obstacles. Competition from Olam threatens local cooperatives. This Singaporean giant is setting up washing stations near Kawa Kanzururu’s micro-stations. “Olam is seeking to stifle local initiatives,” mourns Adélard Palata. To retain its producers, the cooperative offers additional payments, but its margins remain fragile.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) – which requires traceability of deforestation-free plots post-2020 by December 2025 – poses a technical challenge. The geolocation equipment provided by the Virunga Foundation suffers from synchronisation issues, leading to data loss. Roger Kasereka is considering exploring free tools such as the FAO’s GeoSource or the International Trade Centre’s platforms, which he was made aware of by Enabel’s TDC. The cooperative is also raising awareness among local authorities, but the EUDR’s lack of awareness in Kinshasa is holding back progress. “We need to involve national authorities,” insists Adélard.
Financial constraints are another obstacle. Bank loans at 12% interest are a strain on finances. Roger Kasereka plans to negotiate with Alterfin, which could offer rates of around 9% and financing of up to $850,000. Security remains a major concern, with M23 rebels just 20 kilometres from Goma in June 2025, threatening the region’s stability.
An impact beyond production
Kawa Kanzururu does more than just buy coffee and cocoa. A team of nine agronomists trains farmers in good agricultural practices, improving quality right from the planting stage. Financial education sessions boost their self-reliance, whilst diversification into Robusta and cocoa secures their incomes. “Our producers asked to include these crops to diversify their sources of income,” reports Roger Kasereka. The fermentation centre produces a speciality cocoa prized on the international market, and the laboratory ensures consistent flavours, bolstering the cooperative’s reputation.
Kawa Kanzururu’s democratic model and certifications are attracting new members, amplifying its social impact in a region weakened by conflict. By offering technical and financial services, the cooperative has become a pillar of support for its 5,200 producers.
