Best of Congo Cooperatives launches 2026 coffee competition and auction
BOCC26 will feature a curated quality competition and auction of specialty microlots, allowing importers and roasters to access high-scoring, fully traceable coffees while ensuring proceeds are reinvested into coffee-producing communities
GOMA, June 25, 2026 — The Best of Congo Cooperatives initiative has launched its 2026 competition and auction, aimed at showcasing Congolese specialty coffee on the global market while strengthening livelihoods for local producer cooperatives.
Established in 2024 by African Coffee Connect and CongoAgri Platform, the initiative seeks to elevate the profile of Congolese coffee despite the difficult production conditions facing growers across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC].
The programme has steadily gained international recognition through competitions staged in London, Goma, and New York, and is now entering its third edition in June 2026. Within just two years, BOCC has emerged as an important platform for identifying exceptional coffees and linking producers with international buyers.
BOCC26 will feature a curated quality competition and auction of specialty microlots, allowing importers and roasters to access high-scoring, fully traceable coffees while ensuring proceeds are reinvested into coffee-producing communities.
Participating cooperatives continue to operate under long-standing instability but have maintained production of distinctive, high-quality coffees.
Jim Ngokwey of Optimist Traders described Congolese cooperatives as the coffee industry’s “best-kept secret”, citing the quality and uniqueness of their produce.
Jennifer Yeatts, reflecting on nearly a decade of experience with Congolese coffee, described the coffees as “complex, dynamic and vibrant”, noting that top entries in the 2025 competition scored more than 88 points.
Organisers said buyers taking part in the 2026 edition can expect a diverse range of processing methods, including natural and anaerobic lots, alongside certifications such as Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation [EUDR].
Each coffee entry will include detailed profiles of the farmers, locations, varietals and processing methods to improve traceability and highlight producer contributions.
The competition will also place emphasis on inclusion, with participation from women-led cooperatives, young farmers and Batwa communities in the North and South Kivu regions.
Richard Hide said supporting Congolese coffee farmers offers buyers an opportunity to contribute directly to communities producing exceptional coffee under demanding conditions.
Organisers said BOCC26 presents an opportunity for international buyers to source premium coffees while supporting the long-term sustainability and resilience of one of the world’s most overlooked coffee-producing origins.
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