“For me, Barbara and Gustav capture the very essence of what it means to run a small business.
They saw an opportunity to follow their dreams, and support farmers in their community—and they have done the heavy lifting that it takes to achieve that, even when facing some tough odds.
It’s people like Barbara and Gustav that remind me why we’re all here,” said Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), following her visit to the company’s premises in Kampala.
Barbara and Gustav co-founders of Equator Chocolate company in Kampala, Uganda have developed advanced cocoa bean fermentation techniques that have earned their chocolate international awards and recognition.
Their company has benefited from comprehensive training programs delivered by European Union (EU) funded MARKUP programme covering post-harvest handling and the application of digital tools for e-commerce.
Committed to sourcing from local farmer cooperatives, the company has created jobs and income opportunities for hundreds of families. Their chocolate products have established a presence in the European market and are expanding regionally, with growing sales in Kenya and plans to enter the Rwandan market.
