Tisya Mukuna is an African entrepreneur who has carved a niche as the founder and CEO of Café La Kinoise. The company produces high-quality, ethically sourced coffee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo or Congo). Tisya has not only built a successful coffee brand but has also empowered her local communities. Her approach to business and her commitment to social impact earned her a spot among the top 20 semi-finalists in the prestigious Africa Business Heroes 2024 list. This recognition highlights her outstanding contribution to her industry and the region’s economic development.
Early life and background
Tisya Mukuna was born and raised in the DR Congo. After completing her education in Congo, she continued her studies at the IÉSEG School of Management in Paris, where she earned a master’s degree in marketing in 2016. She completed an MBA from Shanghai International Studies University in China in the same year.
After completing her studies, she returned to Congo and established her own residence there. Inspired by her father’s involvement in livestock and fish farming, she started growing coffee due to her passion for plantations. Additionally, her exposure to global business perspectives motivated Tisya to integrate business with community development. She recognised the potential to create a company that generated profit and enhanced the lives of the people in her country.
The birth of Café La Kinoise
Tisya noticed that despite the region’s potential to produce high-quality cocoa beans, Congo’s coffee industry remained largely untapped. She was disheartened to see local farmers struggling to access the market, facing poor infrastructure, and dealing with unfair trade practices. To address these challenges, Tisya decided to establish a business that not only produced top-notch coffee but also aimed to improve the lives of the farmers.
Despite believing that coffee couldn’t thrive in Kinshasa, Tisya Mukuna set out to prove this wrong. In 2019, she took a risk by planting over 1,000 Robusta and Arabica coffee seedlings under the supervision of a certified agronomist. This risk paid off, as she later harvested three tons of coffee, 90% of which were Arabica and 10% of which were Robusta.
In 2022, she founded Café La Kinoise, the first coffee grown and produced in Kinshasa. Since then, her company has remained dedicated to producing premium, ethically sourced coffee from the fertile soils of the DR Congo. The La Kinoise coffee is grown on a 20-hectare farm on the outskirts of Kinshasa. While other farmers choose to export their raw coffee, Tisya, on the other hand, wants the coffee she produces to be consumed by the Congolese themselves.
Business growth and achievement
Since its establishment in 2022, Café La Kinoise has seen impressive growth in revenue and market reach. Through her company, Kisya not only produces coffee but also provides jobs for Congolese. The annual revenue has consistently increased over the years due to its ability to build partnerships across Europe and North America.
A significant milestone for Café La Kinoise was achieved during the 59th edition of the International Agricultural Show in Paris. Tisya was honoured with one of the “Trophées des Agriculteurs du Monde 2023” awards. Her coffee brand is now available in various products in more than 11 supermarkets across the DR Congo.
Café La Kinoise’s Impact on DR Congo
Café La Kinoise goes far beyond producing high-quality coffee. It has become a safety cushion for many farming communities in the DR Congo. It offers them fair compensation, organises training on sustainable farming practices, and ensures better access to global markets. This has empowered farmers and reduced poverty in the region.
One of the most notable initiatives led by Tisya is the Kivu Farmers Support Program, which is focused on education and skill development. The program equips farmers with the knowledge and tools to engage in environmentally friendly farming techniques. Additionally, the company invests in infrastructure development, such as building processing facilities closer to farms. This has reduced transport costs and improved the freshness of the coffee.
Tisya didn’t stop at economic empowerment; she has also spearheaded initiatives focusing on gender equality. A significant portion of the farmers she works with are women, which has allowed women in rural areas to grow and become independent.
Tisya Mukuna’s inclusion in the top 20 semi-finalists list of Africa’s Business Heroes competition is a testament to her exceptional leadership, creative thinking, and commitment to social impact. Her efforts in transforming Congo’s coffee industry by empowering local farmers and promoting ethical practices have positively impacted hundreds of lives in the region.
Tisya Mukuna has successfully built a scalable business model that aligns with environmental and social values. Furthermore, she has made significant efforts to promote gender equality in agriculture. Her story serves as a reminder that true success encompasses economic and social impact. It is not just about benefiting the entrepreneur alone but also the entire community.
