Africa’s Oldest Coffee Co-operative

15 October 2013

Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU) is the Africa’s oldest Coffee Cooperative Union, founded in 1933 as a Marketing Organisation for the Indigenous Farmers of the Chagga Tribe living on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, the ‘roof of Africa’.

Along with all of Tanzania’s Cooperatives, KNCU was banned by the government in 1976, but then reinstated in 1984 as KNCU (1984) Ltd. Today, KNCU has about 70,000 members from 92 local cooperatives found in Districts of Siha, Hai, Moshi Rural and Rombo.

Their smooth mild beans are considered to be amongst the finest in Africa. We are certified by Fair Trade Labeling Organisation since 1993.

The oldest Union in Africa, KNCU has been a great pioneer of Cooperative Movement in Tanzania and Africa in general.

“About 80 years of KNCU since its establishment, I have been of great experience to KNCU, its members and the movement in large. From 11 societies’ member to 67 societies for sure it is a story to be told I am very proud to witness this, many of my age wished to see this future,” joyfully narrates a 99 year-old and a former general manager of KNCU Philip Tesha, who is now reaching 100 years old of born.

Souce: IPP Media.