27/09/2026 · KACCO
KACCO aims to share another story of Congolese coffee with the world: that of the women producers who, despite the challenges, continue to cultivate, process, and market exceptional Arabica from the Kivu highlands.
In the volcanic mountains surrounding Lake Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Arabica coffee is an integral part of the agricultural and economic heritage of rural communities. It is in this region that the Kalehe Arabica Coffee Cooperative (KACCO) supports thousands of smallholder farmers in the production, processing, quality management, and marketing of their coffee.
Yet, behind every cup of coffee lies a human story.
In May 2023, the Bushushu and Nyamukubi areas within the Kalehe territory were devastated by floods and landslides that deeply impacted local communities. Many farming families lost loved ones, homes, land, and livelihoods.
Amidst these challenging circumstances, many women coffee farmers continued to work to rebuild their livelihoods and support their families.
It was from this reality that SURVIVORS COFFEE emerged—an initiative led by KACCO to bring a commercial and international dimension to this story of resilience.
SURVIVORS COFFEE specifically highlights the women farmers of Bushushu and Nyamukubi, who play a vital role in the coffee value chain—from production, harvesting, and cherry sorting to participation in processing and marketing activities.
For KACCO, promoting this coffee is about more than just selling a product; it is about creating economic opportunities that enable farmers to boost their incomes and contribute to the rebuilding of their communities.
Each bag of SURVIVORS COFFEE thus carries a dual identity: that of the Kivu Arabica coffee terroir and that of the women who chose to keep moving forward despite the hardships.
KACCO aims to take things a step further by helping to gain greater recognition for Congolese coffee in specialty markets.
The Kalehe region boasts ideal conditions for Arabica production: high altitude, volcanic soil, a suitable climate, and proximity to Lake Kivu. Through its washing stations and its collection and traceability systems, KACCO works to improve and maintain the quality of coffee destined for both domestic and international markets.
The goal is to establish the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a recognized and sought-after origin among specialty coffee buyers.
SURVIVORS COFFEE embodies this ambition: it is a coffee that invites you to discover a specific origin, a unique terroir, and—above all—a community of producers.
KACCO seeks to build new relationships with importers, roasters, distributors, and specialty coffee buyers interested in Congolese coffee and in coffees with a clear story and documented traceability.
Through SURVIVORS COFFEE, the cooperative invites interested partners to discover coffee produced by the communities of Kalehe and to explore opportunities for long-term commercial collaboration.
To discover SURVIVORS COFFEE is to discover a coffee from Kivu.
It is also to encounter the history and resilience of the women who produce it.
