This post is from Richard Downie at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Can the once-thriving coffee sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) be revived? An increasing number of players seem to think so, including donors, coffee companies, the Congolese government, and many thousands of farmers. Their initial investments, centered on the high-grade specialty market, raise hopes that coffee production could benefit the national economy while improving livelihoods and reducing poverty in the troubled eastern region of the country. But major barriers must be overcome before the DRC can evolve from a niche coffee producer to a globally significant one. Read more…