The success story of how DP World’s e-commerce platform, DUBUY.com, helped Rwandan coffee farmers overcome their packaging challenges highlights technology solutions’ critical role in supporting communities globally.
The coffee industry has long been one of the world’s largest and most important commodity markets, generating billions of dollars in revenue yearly and providing employment as well as a source of poverty alleviation for millions of people. However, for many small-scale coffee producers in developing countries, getting their coffee beans to market can be daunting.
The Rwandan farmers of Dukundekawa coffee were struggling to export their coffee beans because the quality would deteriorate by the time they arrived at their destination. The farmers needed a way to transport their coffee beans through packaging that maintained its quality, keeping the beans fresh, air-tight and at the optimal temperature to ensure they would arrive in the best condition for consumption.
Through DUBUY.com, we at DP World identified the issue and sourced sustainable packaging that would be fit for the task from Swiss Pac, a leading manufacturer of sustainable packaging based in the UAE. The farmers tested the packaging until they selected the ones that suited their beans. After branding and designing the packaging, the local farmers ordered the customised coffee bags with Swiss Pac via DUBUY.com. The same SKU was then put back on DUBUY.com, with the local farmers being the buyers and sellers, showcasing the platform’s full-circle process.
This partnership demonstrates how innovation and collaboration between businesses can create value and support the growth of local communities. By going the extra mile to find a solution, DP World and Swiss Pac were able to support the farmers and play a part in their growth journey. The packaging they created was tailored to the needs of the farmers, ensuring that the coffee beans would remain fresh during transportation out of Rwanda. This allowed them to grow their operations and export their coffee beans internationally, supporting the livelihoods of over a thousand farmers who work on the land.
Moreover, the success of this collaboration demonstrates the role of technology in enabling trade flow, whether on a large or more localised scale. DP World’s digital platform, DUBUY.com, connected the Rwandan farmers with Swiss Pac, a UAE-based manufacturer, demonstrating how technology can break down traditional barriers and facilitate cross-border trade. The platform’s global reach allows it to connect farmers with customers worldwide, expanding the farmers’ potential customers beyond their local markets. At DP World, aspects like this are at the head of our purpose: keeping trade flowing throughout the world to those who need it most.
This story is also an example of how businesses can create a positive impact beyond just profits. By working with local communities, companies can address social and environmental challenges while creating economic value. In this case, the initiative helped the farmers improve the quality of their coffee beans and increase their income while also promoting sustainable packaging solutions. This initiative shows that companies have the ability and responsibility to support sustainable and ethical practices that go beyond their core business objectives.
This case study of how DP World helped Rwandan coffee farmers overcome their packaging challenges is a testament to the role of technology, innovation and collaboration in supporting local communities. By going the extra mile to find a solution, DP World and Swiss Pac were able to support the farmers’ growth journey and expand their trade flows beyond their local markets. This initiative also shows the potential for businesses to create positive social and environmental impacts while generating economic value. Examples like this should inspire us as business executives to think beyond profits and seek innovative ways to make a positive impact on the world.
