Agricultural Cooperative OLAME
Founded by coffee producers in the Idjwi territory of South Kivu province, Olame means "to live" in Kihavu. Olame was born from a simple conviction: villagers, including women, young and indigenous people can make a sustainable living, provided they take care of their coffee.
Founded in
2019
Location
Bukumbi Village, Bunyakiri Grouping, Rubenga Chiefdom, Idjwi Territory, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
Elevation
1480-1800m
Membership
1,245 producers (498 women and 323 youth)
Average size of land per farmer
0.3 hectares
Green coffee production capacity / year
57.6 tonnes green coffee K3
Varieties
Arabica Bourbon, Arabica Katway, Arabica Kabare 16
Grades
Fully Washed Kivu 3
Certifications
Organic (Control Union - in progress)
Headquarter
Bukumbi Village, Bunyakiri Grouping, Rubenga Chiefdom, Idjwi Territory, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
Management team
Manager: KUBUYA BULIMANGO Héritie
Accountant: LA VIE MAHANE Clément
Agronomist Supervisor: ALANGA BAHAVU Godefride
Purchasing Manager: OMBA KASIDIKA Fidèle
Four Agricultural Instructors: ASIFIWE MATERANYA Irène, SARAH HUMEKA Heshima, FARAJA BENGEHYA Alice, NSIMIRE KAMONDO Annette
Security Guard: SABAYESU KUMBUKA Josué
Board of directors
President: MUPENZI KAMONDO Ghislain
Vice President: NAMASALE HITMANA Gloria
Treasurer: KIBASHONDA KWIGIZE Paul
Secretary: AMINI HAMISI Stefano
Three Advisors: BALIHO ZERUGURU Faustin, FURAHA KABANO and OMBA KASIDIKA Faithful
Infrastructure
Two coffee washing stations, each with a grading channel and three fermentation tanks. Two disc pulpers. Drying area with wooden coffee drying tables. Storage warehouse for each station. Equipped administrative office
Main harvest period
February - Mid June
Export period of main harvest
August to October
Fly crop period
October to December
Export period of fly crop
November to January
The cooperative works to improve the socio-economic life of its members and the wider community.
The cooperative provides particular support to women and young people, notably through training in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to promote community savings and access to local financing.
OLAME has also established a Vocational Training Center specialising in tailoring and sewing, enabling young people and women to develop income-generating activities.
The cooperative contributes to the development of local community infrastructure. In Kihumba, it participated in the development of a drinking water catchment area, thus improving access to water for local communities.
Since 2024, the cooperative has intensified its coffee tree renewal and agroforestry promotion programs to improve the productivity and sustainability of farms. More than 150,000 coffee seedlings have been produced and distributed to members.
Contact
KUBUYA BULIMANGO Héritier | Managing Director | cooperativeagricoleolame@gmail.com