The success story of GI labels in the OAPI region: Ziama-Macenta coffee

Ziama-Macenta coffee from Guinea is a robusta coffee with exceptional qualities, close to those of Arabica. Cultivated in Guinea on Mount Ziama, on the borders of Liberia and the Ivory Coast, Ziama-Macenta coffee is a special robusta: its flavor is acidic and not very bitter. It is distinguished by its persistent aromas, both strong and fine. This coffee comes from exclusively Robusta clones or hybrids which are both traditional varieties and clones (clones 119, 477, 529, 588, and 594). The name protected as a geographical indication is “CAFE ZIAMA-MACENTA”.

A first contract for the GI (Geographical Indication) Café Ziama Macenta was honored in June 2013 by Maison Jobin, one of the major players in the coffee industry in Europe, which wished to support the development of this GI. For the 17 member states of OAPI in West and Central Africa, the recognition of original, renowned local products rooted in their territories is of utmost importance, for it goes a long way to protect their traditional heritage and serves as tool for economic development. Geographical indications can enable products with a specific quality or reputation to assert their identity, structure, economic organization and develop their added value. As the sectors concerned are often made up of small producers, this is a real challenge in terms of poverty reduction.