IWCA Signs Producer-Focused MOU with Mutombo Coffee Distributor

The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) has made a major play in bringing its members’ coffees to market through a new agreement with the international wholesale distributor of Mutombo Coffee, Cajary Majlis.

Based at the Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre (DMCC) free zone with offices in Atlanta and New Orleans, Cajary Majlis is the wholesale distributor and sibling company of the new roasted coffee brand Mutombo Coffee, launched by NBA legend and humanitarian Dikembe Mutombo earlier this year.

A memorandum of understanding between Cajary Majlis and the IWCA is expected to benefit women coffee producers who are IWCA members in parts of eastern and southern Africa, while forwarding Mutombo Coffee’s mission of supporting coffee producers throughout the African continent and particularly in his home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mutombo, who serves as the chairman of Cajary Majlis, joined the DMCC Coffee Centre back in February, announcing to members of the media in a Zoom call that his inspiration for the brand came through the realization that producers throughout Africa play essential roles in the coffee supply chain, yet are too often under-represented in conversations regarding the coffee trade.

He said then that by lending his own name to the brand, more value might be captured for the producers supplying the coffee.

“Our mission is to responsibly source and deliver agricultural products from undervalued communities to fast growing markets across various regions, including the highest quality specialty coffee from Africa,” Mutombo said in an announcement this week from the IWCA. “The Mutombo Coffee team is proud to partner with IWCA’s export-ready African farmers who are eager to introduce the international coffee buying community to their delicious beans.”

The IWCA, which recently inaugurated a United States chapter, comprises 27 country member chapters, primarily representing women coffee producers. The group also maintains a member coffee availability list, designed to create direct market connections between members and roasters.