Connect with us
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Fintech PR

NESPRESSO WILL INVEST 20 MILLION USD IN DRC TO SUPPORT THE COFFEE GROWING COMMUNITY AND THE REVIVAL OF THE SPECIALTY COFFEE

Published

on

nespresso-will-invest-20-million-usd-in-drc-to-support-the-coffee-growing-community-and-the-revival-of-the-specialty-coffee

Focusing on an increased sourcing of high-quality coffee, as well as implementing regenerative practices, gender equality programs and projects to increase access to healthcare and clean water.

VEVEY, Switzerland, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Nespresso aims to continue to support the local community and economy by investing 20 million USD spent across coffee purchases, price premiums and technical assistance, by 2026 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), helping to give coffee farmers access to the global markets. The ambition is also to help support fund raising of an additional 20 million USD to support the coffee growing communities in Kivu. This initiative is part of the unique Nespresso Reviving Origins program, founded 10 years ago, aiming to restore coffee agriculture in regions where it is under threat.

 

 

In 1980, coffee was the second most important export for DRC and ranked among the world’s finest but declined in the early 2000s due to years of instability that had a devastating impact on the industry.

Since the launch of the Nespresso Reviving Origins program in DRC in 2020 it has enabled the production of the exquisite coffees from the Lake Kivu region, where the once-thriving coffee farming community has been, and still is, devastated by decades of political and economic instability, that continue to rise today.

Guillaume Le Cunff, CEO Nespresso says, “Kivu has the potential to be among the world’s great coffee regions but has faced extremely challenging conditions in recent years. Through our Reviving Origins program, we work closely with Congolese farmers, and we have joined forces with partners including, Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI)/ASILI, TechnoServe, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), The Global Environment Facility (GEF), Clarmondial, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Virunga Coffee to restore and revitalize Kivu as a leading source of high-quality, exceptional Arabica coffee. In the context of escalating violence in eastern DRC where access to water is becoming insufficient, water-borne illnesses have resurfaced, and daily life is under significant upheaval, it is even more critical to help build community resilience, access to health care and clean water as well as support farmer livelihoods by continuing to give them access to the global market and empowering them in their agricultural transition.”

With the continued investment of 20 million USD in the region, as well as with the ambition to support to raise funds of another 20 million USD, Nespresso aims to continue the work to back the revival of the DRC coffee sector.

“Nespresso’s deep commitment to Kivu is creating lasting change in communities across the region. In our work together equipping farmers with the knowledge and market connections they need to thrive, we have seen the transformative impact that coffee can have in Kivu,” said TechnoServe CEO William Warshauer. “We believe this initiative will help inspire other companies to invest there.”

Abraham Leno, Executive director of ECI says, “Since we started working together, we have built a large health center and an entire water system in the farming community of Minova.  Today, our medical team provides safe deliveries and gets hundreds of kids ready for school. More than 22,000 people from the local community have access to clean water, and as displacement soars, we are a primary source of water for thousands of families fleeing violence. With the continued support from Nespresso, we aim to continue this work, expanding dignified and sustainable access to clean water and healthcare.”  

Advertisement

Nespresso’s unique sustainable green coffee sourcing program, the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, provides the foundation for the work in the Reviving Origins program. For 20 years, the AAA Program has built strong relationships with coffee farmers across the world to protect the nature and life in landscapes where coffee is grown and to strengthen communities’ resilience. When supporting to rebuilding and reviving the coffee sector in DRC, Nespresso will further deploy the AAA Program and support the farmers in implementing regenerative practices such as crop diversification, stumping, soil health improvement, agroforestry etc. Via the AAA Program Nespresso will also implement a biodiversity tracking tool using DRCs unique birdlife.

Other important projects within the AAA Program in DRC are gender equality trainings. By advancing gender equality this can have a significant impact on coffee quality and productivity and the livelihoods of coffee farming communities. To date concrete examples of actions to reduce gender disparities and increase women´s empowerment includes the increase of women agronomists, currently in DRC 42% of the agronomists are female, trainings for farmers that increase women’s empowerment, such as financial literacy, household nutrition, “Safe Spaces” gender training and women’s leadership.

Finally, since 2020 Nespresso have been collaborating with an impact digital start-up to verify and trace the coffee by harnessing the power technology.  The platform will automatically verify that farmers receive the right payment (including the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program premium) for the high-quality coffee they produce.

About Nestlé Nespresso SA

Nestlé Nespresso SA is the pioneer and reference for highest-quality portioned coffee. The company works with more than 150,000 farmers in 18 countries through its AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program to embed sustainability practices on farms and the surrounding landscapes. Launched in 2003 in collaboration with the NGO Rainforest Alliance, the program helps to improve the yield and quality of harvests, ensuring a sustainable supply of high-quality coffee and improving livelihoods of farmers and their communities.

In 2022, Nespresso achieved B Corp™ certification – joining an international movement of over 7,900 purpose-led businesses that meet B Corp’s high standards of social and environmental responsibility and transparency.

Headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nespresso operates in 93 markets and has 14’000 employees. In 2023, it operated a global retail network of 791 boutiques. For more information, visit the Nespresso corporate website: www.nestle-nespresso.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368903/Nestle_Nespresso_SA.jpg

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nespresso-will-invest-20-million-usd-in-drc-to-support-the-coffee-growing-community-and-the-revival-of-the-specialty-coffee-302096296.html

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fintech PR

Nucleus Synapse 2025 Ignites the Human-AI Alliance as the Middle East Leads the Charge in AI-Powered Banking

Published

on

nucleus-synapse-2025-ignites-the-human-ai-alliance-as-the-middle-east-leads-the-charge-in-ai-powered-banking

DUBAI, UAE, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Middle East isn’t just adopting digital transformation—it’s engineering the future of banking with bold leadership, smart regulation, and rapid AI investment. It is in this spirit of transformation that Nucleus Software convened Synapse 2025 – Middle East, held at the iconic Taj Exotic Resorts, The Palm, Dubai, uniting visionary banking leaders, technologists, and innovators to shape the Human-AI Alliance. More than just a gathering, Synapse 2025 was a catalyst for dialogue, strategy, and co-creation—anchored in the belief that the fusion of human insight and AI is the foundation of next-generation finance.

Mr. Vishnu R. Dusad, Managing Director & Co-founder of Nucleus Software, opened the event with an inspiring address that beautifully captured the spirit of the gathering—a celebration of enduring partnerships, innovation, and shared aspirations. With heartfelt reflections on Nucleus Software’s journey and a forward-looking vision rooted in technological purpose and human-centric progress, his words set a thoughtful and energizing tone for the day, reminding everyone of the power of collaboration in shaping the future of banking. “At Nucleus, we are committed to building solutions that are not just future-ready but future-defining,” he shared. “The Middle East is leading this transformation—bold, visionary, and driven by clear ambition. We are honoured to contribute to this journey.”

A compelling keynote was delivered by Mr. Jamal Saleh, Director General of the UAE Banks Federation (UBF), whose address illuminated the UAE’s transformative journey in digital finance. Highlighting the expansion of UBF from 46 to 62 member banks—now representing nearly the entire balance sheet of the UAE banking sector—Mr. Saleh reaffirmed the Federation’s leadership in driving regulatory innovation and AI adoption. Citing over 40 nationwide banking transformation initiatives inspired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s mobile-first government vision, Mr. Saleh underscored that “AI is no longer a buzzword—it is becoming the bloodstream of modern banking.” He emphasized the essential role of cybersecurity, trusted regulations, and human oversight in this evolution, and projected with confidence that the UAE would exceed its goal of doubling the digital economy’s GDP contribution by 2030—with partners like Nucleus Software playing a crucial role.

The day’s dialogue was further enriched by two dynamic panel discussions. In the business-focused session, thought leaders Shoaib Rizvi (SVP, Group Head of Digital Products, Emirates NBD), Sudarshan Seshadri (Head of Retail Banking, National Bank of Umm Al Qaiwain), Ahmed Mourad (COO, Astratech), and Suvo Sarkar (Banking Industry Leader & Host of Money Majlis) explored how human insight, powered by AI, is transforming the very fabric of banking. “Customer centricity is no longer optional—it’s programmable,” said Rizvi, while Seshadri noted that “AI is our co-pilot, not our competitor.” Moderated by Anshul Khare, Director, Products & Business Solutions at Nucleus Software, the panel emphasized that trust, agility, and hyper-personalization are central to next-generation growth.

In the technology dialogue, leaders Nitin Bhargava (COO, Al Masraf Bank), Fozi Sultan (Head of IT & Projects, Deem Finance), and Shino Thomas (Head of Technology Operations, mBank), offered deep insights into how AI-native infrastructure is being engineered today to enable scale and speed. From real-time intelligence to modular, cloud-first platforms, the panel, steered by Mohamed Roshdy (CIO, Reem Finance), affirmed that the early-mover advantage in AI development lies in bold execution and a clear architectural vision.

One of the most anticipated moments of the event was the fireside chat with Chris Taylor, CEO of Deem Finance. In a rare and personal conversation, Taylor revealed how his passion for endurance sports has shaped his leadership philosophy—one rooted in discipline, clarity, and sustained execution. Moderated by Mr. Ashwani Arora, Global Head – Customer Success at Nucleus Software, the discussion highlighted Deem’s transformation journey, including its $400M securitization achievement and the remarkable shift from 80% manual to 60% automated interactions. “The biggest barrier to doing the right thing with AI is resistance born out of fear,” Taylor stated, while applauding Nucleus Software’s seamless platform implementation of FinnOne Neo® Collections as a benchmark ‘green-to-green’ transformation.

As the event drew to a close, Mr. Parag Bhise, CEO & Executive Director of Nucleus Software, delivered a powerful closing note, thanking the distinguished participants and reaffirming the company’s commitment to co-creating the future of finance. “We leave here with stronger bonds, sharper perspectives, and a shared determination to lead this Human-AI era with integrity, intelligence, and impact,” he said.

The Middle East is rapidly emerging as a global epicenter for AI-driven banking innovation. Guided by visionary leadership, progressive regulation, and strategic investments in digital infrastructure, the region is redefining the future of financial services. It is against this dynamic backdrop that Nucleus Software hosted Synapse 2025 – Middle East, bringing together stalwarts from across the banking and fintech ecosystem to shape the future of responsible, AI-powered finance. The event was a powerful declaration of what lies ahead. A bold leap into a future where human potential and artificial intelligence work in harmony, not in competition, as collaborative engines of progress.

To know more, please visit https://www.nucleussoftware.com/

 

Advertisement

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2674499/Nucleus_Software_Synapse_2025.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2569848/Nucleus_Software_Logo.jpg

Nucleus Software logo

 

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nucleus-synapse-2025-ignites-the-human-ai-alliance-as-the-middle-east-leads-the-charge-in-ai-powered-banking-302439518.html

Continue Reading

Fintech PR

HR Path Expands Presence with the Acquisition of smahrt consulting AG in Switzerland, Experts in HR-IT Consulting, Implementation and Outsourcing

Published

on

PARIS, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HR Path, a global leader in HR consulting and HRIS solutions, is proud to announce its strategic acquisition of smahrt consulting AG, a Swiss-based company specializing in HR-IT consulting, implementation and outsourcing. Especially within the SAP product portfolio.

With a presence in 28 countries and a team of over 2,500 professionals, HR Path is a trusted partner for businesses navigating the complexities of Human Resources. Specializing in advisory, implementation, and operational services, HR Path delivers cutting-edge solutions designed to enhance efficiency and foster growth. Since its founding in 2001, the company has remained steadfast in its mission to transform HR practices globally.

Founded in 2007, smahrt has built a strong reputation for delivering high quality project with the solutions of SAP HCM, SAP SuccessFactors and suitable add-ons from third-party providers or smahrt’s own development. However, not only the depth solution expertise makes smahrt outstanding, but also the excellent know-how in integrating peripheral systems. This enables the HR department to focus on its core tasks and handle administrative tasks digitally and efficiently.

This acquisition represents a significant milestone for HR Path, solidifying its position as a leader in the HR industry and expanding its presence in Switzerland. smahrt’s specialized focus on HR-IT perfectly complements HR Path’s vision of driving organizational growth and excellence through strategic HR solutions.

According to Ato Anderson, Partner at HR Path, this move is “not just a strategic expansion, it’s a people-focused evolution.” He continues, “With smahrt joining HR Path, we are establishing a new powerhouse in the Swiss HR-IT landscape, combining depth of experience with a shared commitment to excellence. Together, we are expanding our service offering while unlocking exciting new opportunities for our clients and our people. This marks the beginning of a new chapter where innovation, impact, and growth will shape the future of HR in the region.”

PDF: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673328/HR_Path_Expands.pdf  
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673313/5287055/HR_Path_smahrt_Logo.jpg

 

Advertisement

CONTACT: Fabienne LATOUR – [email protected] 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hr-path-expands-presence-with-the-acquisition-of-smahrt-consulting-ag-in-switzerland-experts-in-hr-it-consulting-implementation-and-outsourcing-302438320.html

Continue Reading

Fintech PR

How to Become a Utility Trailer Dealer

Published

on

how-to-become-a-utility-trailer-dealer

JINING, China, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Becoming a utility trailer dealer offers a rewarding opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to serve local businesses and build steady income. Drawing from years of real-world experience, James Ge, founder of Rhinotrail, shares the essential steps for launching a successful dealership.

Understand Industry and Local Demand

Starting with a clear understanding of the trailer industry is critical. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to study the needs of local customers, from landscapers and contractors to farmers and municipalities. Regional trends and seasonal demands can shape inventory planning and sales strategies.

Handle Licensing, Insurance, and Compliance

Legal setup must be a priority. Dealers need to register their business, obtain appropriate dealer licenses, and secure insurance coverage. Requirements vary by state and county, making early research with local DMV or DOT offices essential. Proper compliance protects the business and builds trust with customers from the start.

Build Strong Manufacturer Partnerships

Establishing partnerships with trusted manufacturers gives dealers access to reliable inventory and competitive pricing. Visiting production facilities, reviewing warranty policies, and understanding minimum order expectations help future dealers select manufacturers who support their long-term success.

Choose a Strategic Sales Location

A dealership’s location should offer high visibility, easy accessibility, and appropriate zoning for trailer sales. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to start lean by renting space if necessary, focusing on clear organization and professional presentation of inventory to attract buyers.

Manage Inventory Smartly and Focus on Marketing

Advertisement

Starting with popular trailer types, such as utility, dump, and enclosed models, allows new dealers to meet common customer needs without overextending capital. Marketing efforts should include a mobile-friendly website, listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, and local partnerships to build brand visibility.

Deliver Exceptional Customer Service and Financing Options

Strong customer service creates loyalty and word-of-mouth growth. Dealers who offer clear advice, transparent pricing, and after-sale support quickly differentiate themselves. Offering financing options through local banks or finance companies helps expand the customer base by making larger purchases more accessible.

James Ge and Rhinotrail believe that becoming a utility trailer dealer is a practical and achievable business move for entrepreneurs ready to take action.

Entrepreneurs ready to build their own dealership can contact Rhinotrail today to explore reliable trailer solutions and expert support.

For more information, contact:

Rhinotrail

Website: rhinotrail.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +65 97708910

Advertisement

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/how-to-become-a-utility-trailer-dealer-302440569.html

Continue Reading

Trending