The Maendeleo Agricultural Cooperative was established in 2022 in Katana located in the South Kivu region of D.R. Congo. Its social mission is to promote the socio-economic interests of all its members through the production and sale of specialty coffee. The coop seeks to transform the coffee sector into a sustainable source of income for its members by focusing on quality, local value addition, and access to specialty markets while strictly adhering to environmental standards. Optimist Coffee Traders is a new importing business founded by leaders who spearheaded the growth of America's first importer specializing in coffee from D.R. Congo, Mighty Peace Coffee.