BUSINESS STRATEGY

Nespresso investing millions in DRC to revive coffee production

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2024

Swiss brand has pledged US$20-million of its own money and will help raise another $20-million to boost Kivu region of Congo.

The Nespresso coffee brand, which is part of Swiss-based Nestlé, is investing US$20–million into reviving specialty coffee production in the Democratic Republic of Congo by 2026.

Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric from Pexels 

 

This will cover coffee purchases, price premiums, technical assistance, community projects, and assistance to local DRC coffee farmers to gain access to global markets. 

 

In addition, Nespresso wants to help raise another $20-million to support coffee-growing communities in Kivu in the DRC.  

 

Kivu is a generic name for an area considered to have the right conditions to produce high-quality coffee. However, this capability has never been fully realised due to ongoing instability. 

 

“Kivu has the potential to be among the world’s great coffee regions, but has faced extremely challenging conditions in recent years,” says Nespresso CEO, Cuillaume Le Cunff. 

 

Part of the Nespresso Reviving Origins programme 

 

The initiative is part of the Nespresso Reviving Origins programme, created 10 years ago to help restore coffee production in regions under threat. 

 

“We have joined forces with several partners, including the Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI)/ASILI, TechnoServe, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), The Global Environment Facility (GEF), Clarmondial, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Virunga Coffee to restore and revitalise Kivu as a leading source of high-quality, exceptional Arabica coffee,” adds Le Cunff. 

 

Says William Warshauer, CEO of TechnoServe, an international non-profit that promotes business solutions to poverty in the developing world: “Nespresso’s commitment is creating lasting change. Equipping farmers with knowledge and market connections is having a transformative impact.” 

 

Headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nespresso operates in 93 markets and has 14,000 employees. In 2023, it operated a global retail network of 791 boutiques. 

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.