Rift Valley Traders
Fostering Economic Empowerment Through Commerce and Global Connections
50K+
African Farmers
15K+
Women Members
2021
Founded
3
Continents Served
About Rift Valley Traders
Who We Are
- Established in 2021, Rift Valley Traders (RVT) is a US-based, minority and female-owned agriculture company focused on purchasing, exporting, and importing green coffee and cocoa from Africa into regional, US, and European markets.
Our Vision
- To become a market-maker for the agricultural value chain, especially the coffee and cocoa sectors, by connecting African farmers, particularly women, to international and regional markets.
Our Mission
- To empower primarily women, both economically and socially, across global agricultural value chains. We provide communities with necessary tools and finances to produce highest quality agricultural products.
Our Core Values
Leadership
Champions female leadership and encourages farmers to be active community leaders
Quality
Committed to going the extra mile to offer the best products to our clients
Passion
Deeply passionate about improving lives through sustainable agricultural value chains
Trustworthiness
Value mutual trust with working teams and supply chain partners
Integrity
Consistently comply with industry rules and maintain ethical business practices
Sustainability & Impact
Women Empowering Women
- We’ve centered our business model around women’s empowerment and leadership. As the key market access partner for the Congolese Women in Coffee and Cocoa Initiative (IFCCA), we collaborate to create opportunities for Congolese women in supply chains.
Biodiversity Protection
- In the Mayombe region, we collaborate with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Café Africa on projects protecting the Mayombe forest and Luki Biosphere Reserve while finding sustainable alternatives for local communities.
Our Coffee Varieties
Arabica Coffee
Premium Highland Quality- ✔ Cultivated in eastern highlands along African Great Lakes
- ✔ Most popular coffee type worldwide
- ✔ Grown at higher altitudes
- ✔ Known for sweet taste profile
- ✔ Larger, oval-shaped beans
Robusta Coffee
Traditional Strength- ✔ Also known as Canephora
- ✔ Cultivated in low-altitude regions
- ✔ Historically DRC’s primary export (80% in 1980s)
- ✔ Expected 55% of global consumption by 2030
- ✔ Strong, robust flavor profile
Petit Kwilu
Unique DRC Specialty- ✔ Special Canephora variety unique to DRC
- ✔ Smaller coffee beans
- ✔ Sweeter taste than regular Robusta
- ✔ Cultivated in the Mayombe region
- ✔ Grown near Luki Biosphere Reserve
Our Operations
Eastern DRC
North Kivu, Ituri, and South Kivu provinces
→ Strong networks with local farmers
→ Access to important regional markets
→ Excellent climatic conditions
→ Rich, fertile volcanic soils
→ High-quality Arabica coffee production
Southwest DRC
Kongo Central province
→ Operations established in Boma
→ Near port of Boma for exports
→ First-mover advantage
→ Minimal competition
→ Supporting farmer development
Northwest DRC
Sud Ubangi province
→ Market gaps provide entry opportunities
→ River access to Kinshasa via Akula port
→ 2,500+ trained coffee farmers
→ Karawa project partnerships
→ Enhanced rural livelihoods focus
Our Leadership Team
Lwanzo Amani
Managing Partner
Seasoned private sector development expert with 15+ years experience. Former program manager for UK Aid-funded Essor Coffee and Cocoa Value Chain project. Co-founded IFCCA and contributed to World Bank programs.
Kambale Kisumba Kamungele
VP & Director of Operations
Master’s degree in Coffee Economics and Science from University of Trieste. 20+ years experience in coffee and cocoa procurement, processing, and exporting across DRC, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
Jeannette Nkeng
Resident Agent
PMP-certified Project Director with 17+ years experience optimizing complex operations. Expert in streamlining supply chain logistics, implementing robust systems, and ensuring quality control.
Liliane Kahindo Kamungele
Director of Community Engagement
20+ years experience in coffee and cocoa purchasing, supporting agriculture cooperatives, and leading corporate community social and economic engagement projects.
Our Partners
Ready to Partner with Us?
Join us in empowering African farmers and delivering premium coffee and cocoa to global markets. Together, we can build sustainable agricultural value chains that transform communities and create lasting impact.