MUUNGANO, meaning “togetherness” in Swahili, captures the spirit that united 350 founding members  to establish the Muungano Coffee Cooperative in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on the slopes above Lake Kivu. Through this cooperative, members from diverse communities chose to unite their strengths and rebuild regions once fractured by civil conflict, investing in both coffee and their communities. 

The region’s high altitude. rich soil, and climate offer perfect conditions for cultivating Arabica coffee

Despite the many challenges faced by coffee producers in the DRC, the cooperative’s members are committed not only to producing high-quality coffee, but also to improving community well-being—advancing gender equity and fostering economic stability,