Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union

Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU) is the oldest cooperative in Africa, founded in 1930 by Charles Dundas. One of the largest cooperatives, it is owned by the farmers of the 90 primary cooperative societies which buy coffee from the farmers on Kilimanjaro.

KNCU History

A. L. B. (Ben) Bennett DFC, a fighter pilot in World War I, was general manager and later adviser to the KNCU. Such was the devotion of the Chagga to these two men and their gratitude for their services that they bestowed unique Chagga titles on them both.

Dundas was given the title Wasaoye-o-Wachagga (Elder of the Chagga) and Bennett that of Mbuya-o-Wachagga (Friend of the Chagga). Indeed, so greatly loved and admired was Sir Charles Dundas that when he left Moshi for the last time by train to Tanga and ship to Dar es Salaam, the Chagga reputedly hired a band to accompany him on board ship and serenade him on his journey. As the boat sailed into Dar es Salaam harbour a day or two later, the band apparently struck up God Save the King. History relates that the Governor was not amused.

Bennett was at the peak of his career when I arrived and always gave me his help and support. His pride and joy was the recently opened building in Moshi that housed the KNCU headquarters. Not only did it accommodate all the cooperative headquarters' staff in splendidly equipped modern offices, but it also housed a fully residential KNCU commercial college. There was also an excellent multiracial hotel, the KNCU Hostel. It had beautifully furnished bed-sitting rooms with bathrooms attached and a top-floor scenic restaurant with wonderful views of the mountain.

KNCU flourished in the 1950's and 1960's and the motor for much of the development of Kilimanjaro region. In 1977 it was nationalised by the government. This act was reversed in 1984 when KNCU became independent again although subject to government control of their buying and marketing. Since then, the primary co-operatives and their union have gradually won back their independence. The liberalisation of the coffee industry in 1993/4 saw private companies competing with the cooperatives to buy the coffee of their members. Many cooperatives in Tanzania died. KNCU initially lost 80% of its market and struggled for four years. However since 1998, it has steadily won back market share and is now by far the largest buyer of Kilimanjaro smallholder coffee. KNCU has also worked closely with the Fair Trade movement. It supplies the coffee for the Fair Trade Certified Kilimanjaro Roasted Coffee from 'Cafe Direct'.