In the Republic of Congo, Agrofield Business, an agribusiness cooperative, has embarked on a mission to produce chips from local fruit, under the leadership of Edith Nanette Diba, its president. Diba, a 34-year-old entrepreneur with a background as an advanced civil engineering technician and commercial pilot, shifted her career towards agribusiness, driven by the potential of Congolese fruit. She expressed concern over the scarcity of Congolese processed fruit products in the market, despite the country's abundant resources.
The cooperative, established amidst the Covid-19 pandemic disruptions in 2020, began by producing coconut chips. Diba highlighted the economic potential of coconuts, a fruit she believes is often overlooked. Investing CFAF 10 million from personal funds, the team acquired the necessary equipment and raw materials. Their product, Kitoko coconut chips, available in vanilla and ginger flavors, found success among consumers, attributed to its affordability and appealing taste. The 35-gram packets, priced at CFAF 250, are now available in several Brazzaville shops and supermarkets.
Source: worldbank.org