The closure of the International Cooperative Agricultural Organisation (ICAO) and the North West Cooperative Association (NWCA) Ltd project in Bamenda on Wednesday 12 February 2025 marks the beginning of a new era for coffee entrepreneurship (coffeepreneur) in the Northwest Region.
Through this ICAO and NWCA Ltd have empowered young people and women, not just with resources, but with the ability to build sustainable businesses in the coffee sector.
"This project was about more than just distributing equipment; it was about laying the foundation for sustainable coffee entrepreneurship," Waindim Timothy Ntam, the General Manager of NWCA Ltd, explained.
Beneficiaries Getting final briefing from trainers
The selection process for beneficiaries was carefully structured, ensuring that the first phase focused on safe zones like Donga Mantung, Fundong, and Bamenda, where implementation would be most effective. The project began with five unions, providing each beneficiary with a mobile coffee kiosk, cooking utensils, a gas cooker, coffee products including NWCA Kola Coffee and other accessories. These kiosks serve as startup capital, allowing recipients to establish themselves in the coffee trade while operating under a revolving fund system that enables others to benefit over time with a targeted 100 beneficiaries.
Even before the final distribution, the initiative had already begun inspiring a movement of young entrepreneurs eager to join the coffee business.
"Many youths are now reaching out to NWCA, looking for ways to acquire similar equipment and start their own ventures," Waindim Timothy Ntam said as he reflected on the growing enthusiasm for coffee entrepreneurship.
Cross section of participants at project closure event
The impact of this project goes beyond business. it is also providing opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have settled in Bamenda III due to the ongoing crisis. Some Mbororo IDPs who initially worked with NWCA Ltd in coffee sorting have now transitioned into coffee farming, with fresh cultivation efforts taking root in Mezam, Ngoketunjia and Boyo Divisios.
This success is not an isolated achievement but part of a larger story of NWCA Ltd’s resurgence under Waindim Timothy Ntam. Once on the brink of collapse, the cooperative has become Cameroon’s leading producer of Arabica coffee, with its flagship brand, Kola Coffee, gaining visibility both locally and internationally. Coffee drinking has become a daily ritual for many in Bamenda, with people flocking to the NWCA head office in Mile 3 Nkwen to enjoy the beverage.
Ndikwa Peter joins many to drink Kola Coffee from beneficiary kiosk
Addrrssing the project closure event, the President of NWCA Ltd Board of Directors, Ndikwa Peter Bayo emphasised that his institution's engagement in the empowerment of youth and women is to ensure the sustainable production of coffee. He has admonished the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the opportunity and remain accountable so as to give others the opportunity to benefit.
Beyond coffee production, Waindim Timothy has been a driving force for community development, and creating employment for vulnerable groups, including Mbororo women working as coffee sorters. His engagement to inclusion and empowerment has cemented his reputation as one of the most influential figures in the Bamenda III Municipality and beyond with several awards and honours received.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed even within the coffee sector in the country. NWCA Ltd recently emerged the top three winners in the National Taste of Harvest Competition for Cameroon, an achievement that solidifies its place among the finest coffee producers on the continent. This recognition by the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) and the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (NCCB) is a reflection of the hard work and commitment to quality that Waindim Timothy has instilled in the cooperative.
With the ICAO-NWCA Ltd project setting the stage for future coffeepreneurs, and NWCA Ltd’s growing influence in both local and international markets, the future of coffee in the Northwest Region has never been brighter. Under the current NWCA Ltd leadership, what started as an initiative to empower a few is now sparking a coffee revolution one that promises economic transformation, community development, and a thriving coffee culture for generations to come.