Africa Joins Global Cigar Market as Mozambique’s Bongani Cigars Make Its Mark

In a small, neon-lit factory in Maputo, Mozambique, a team of skilled workers are hand-rolling premium cigars, defying expectations and catering to a global market. The unlikely startup, Bongani Cigars, is making waves with its uniquely crafted cigars, surprising consumers with the rich flavors and aromas of African tobacco.

Founded eight years ago by Kamal Moukheiber, a 55-year-old Lebanese entrepreneur, Bongani Cigars was born out of a gap in the market. Moukheiber, who previously worked in finance in London, was inspired to create an African cigar brand during a business visit to Mozambique. "I was with some friends and I saw people smoking cigars. And I wondered: why are there no African cigars?" he recalls. After thorough research, he launched the company, determined to produce high-quality cigars that would rival those from renowned producers.

The factory, run by Anthony Padilla Perez, a 38-year-old expert in tobacco production, employs a dozen workers who meticulously craft each cigar. The tobacco, mainly produced in Mozambique, is supplemented with leaves from the Dominican Republic, a key player in the cigar industry. Perez explains, "Each leaf has a function: its burning quality, its strength, and its smell." The wrapper leaf, made in Cameroon, is carefully selected for its delicate finish and rolled around the cigar to complete the final layer.

The production process is labor-intensive, with each cigar requiring precise attention to detail. Once the tobacco is rolled and a wrapper applied, the cigar is cut to size and molded for at least 24 hours to achieve the desired shape. The finishing touch involves crafting the tip with small pieces of tobacco and a drop of vegetable gum.

Bongani Cigars has established itself as a significant player in the global market, with a third of its products shipped across Africa, a third sold in the United States, and the remainder sold in Europe. Moukheiber notes that the cigars are particularly popular among black consumers in Europe, who appreciate the brand’s unique flavor profile. Priced at $13 per piece, each model must be perfectly crafted to meet the high standards of cigar enthusiasts.

As Bongani Cigars continues to make its mark on the global market, it’s clear that Africa has finally joined the ranks of premium cigar producers. The company’s success not only showcases the continent’s rich tobacco resources but also its potential for innovation and entrepreneurship. As Moukheiber puts it, "Often, raw materials are produced in Africa and shipped elsewhere to be repackaged and rebranded… We’re proud to be producing locally and sharing our African story with the world."