NEWS

Zimbabwe factory gives unique twist to Caribbean cigar-making tradition

Zimbabwe factory gives unique twist to Caribbean cigar-making tradition

By Oliver Matthews

Harare, Jun 24 (efe-epa).- Dominican tobacconist Elías López sits on a stool rolling cigars at Zimbabwe’s first factory.

“People who smoke cigars are classy people,” he tells Efe.

Starting a cigar firm in Zimbabwe

Starting a cigar firm in Zimbabwe

Entrepreneur Shepherd Mafundikwa decided to take early retirement from the US and move back to Zimbabwe to start a cigar manufacturing firm.

Pioneering Cigars in Zimbabwe

Pioneering Cigars in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is known for a few things-most notably its safaris and tumultuous history. However, a lesser-known fact about the country is that it is the largest producer of tobacco on the African continent, as well as one of the top 10 producers in the entire world, according to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Programme and Statista.

The Smoke That Thunders

The Smoke That Thunders

By Thulani Mpofu

When water flowing along Africa’s fourth longest river, the Zambezi, plunges over a cliff to a gorge 108 meters below at a point on Zimbabwe’s western border with Zambia, it produces a roaring sound and a spray of droplets visible from 48 km away.

'Smoke that thunders': First 'made-in-Zimbabwe' luxury cigars

'Smoke that thunders': First 'made-in-Zimbabwe' luxury cigars

A woman places a branded label on a pack of cigars at the Mosi Oa Tunya, the first cigar manufacturing plant in Zimbabwe, in Harare on June 25, 2020. (AFP/Jekesai Njikizana)

A Zimbabwean entrepreneur in Africa's top tobacco producer has launched the first local brand of hand-rolled cigars, defying coronavirus and economic odds to light up manufacturing. 

The southern African nation produced more than 252 million kilograms of tobacco last year, making it the sixth largest producer in the world.

Ready to roll: Zimbabwe cigar venture eyes smokers at home and abroad

Ready to roll: Zimbabwe cigar venture eyes smokers at home and abroad

HARARE (Reuters) - A newly established Zimbabwean company has started making cigars for export, aiming to take on established players while developing a culture of cigar smoking at home.

Zim’s unique cigar brand: Mosi Oa Tunya

Zim’s unique cigar brand: Mosi Oa Tunya

Mosi Oa Tunya is Zimbabwean’s first-ever cigar manufacturing company launched in May 2020 by Zimbabwean entrepreneur Shep Mafundikwa.

Mosi Oa Tunya Cigars embraces the myth and the legend of Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

World will soon take notice of Zim’s first cigar brand

World will soon take notice of Zim’s first cigar brand

Mosi oa Tunya Cigars, which launched in the country in May is offering a product that is unique in Zimbabwe. It is offering hand-rolled cigars. The company decided to set up shop despite the deepening economic crisis afflicting the country. Acting business editor Kudzai Kuwaza (KK) caught up with Musi Oa Tunya chief executive Shepherd Mafundikwa (SM, pictured) to talk about his company. Below are excerpts of the interview:

KK: Why the name Mosi oa Tunya?

New Zimbabwe cigar business eyes aficionados at home and abroad

New Zimbabwe cigar business eyes aficionados at home and abroad

A newly established Zimbabwean company has started making cigars for export, aiming to take on established players while developing a culture of cigar smoking at home.

Mosi-Oa-Tunya, the local name for Victoria Falls which means “the smoke that thunders”, is the first firm to make cigars in the southern African nation whose economic troubles have been compounded by the new coronavius pandemic.

First cigar plant for Zimbabwe

First cigar plant for Zimbabwe

A local firm, Mosi-Oa-Tunya Cigars, is leveraging on the country’s position as the major leaf tobacco producer on the continent to become Zimbabwe’s first cigar producer.

A market for cigars is considered a niche segment in the tobacco industry, which is increasingly viewed as a potential growth driver.

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