Afroma House
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Co-Founders
Afroma House was founded over coffee at Howard University by Kikomeko Muhammad, a Ugandan student at Howard University, and Jahmal Sands, American recent Hampton University graduate. They discovered shared connections: both attended HBCUs, living in Uganda, and sharing a passion for Ugandan coffee. Jahmal’s grandfather led a World Bank research developing Uganda’s drought-resistant Robusta, and while in Uganda he’d often visit his father’s friend’s coffee garden. Muhammad’s grandparents owned coffee gardens, and he’d pick coffee during school breaks.
Discussing coffee prices, they noted the disparity between farm gate prices and high-end coffee shop prices, like those at Howard University, contributing to Ugandan women coffee farmers’ poor living standards despite high international coffee prices. Inspired to make a difference they decided to form a company to buy coffee from Ugandan women farmers at a better price, sell it in the US, and dedicate profits to support these women. In 2009, they co-founded Afroma House Coffee, a social impact business bringing Ugandan Coffee to American tables
Kikomeko Muhammad
Co-Founder Afroma House Chief Executive Officer – The Gold Nile (Africa)
Kikomeko Muhammad
Chief Executive Officer
Kikomeko Muhammad serves as the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gold (Africa) Nile, which trades as Afroma House Coffee.
Kikomeko is a Ugandan alumnus of Howard University School of Law and is a partner at KM Advocates & Associates, a Ugandan law firm. His firm collaborates with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as part of the Urban Working Group and works alongside the Government of Uganda under the Comprehensive Refugee Response Frame Work.
Kikomeko’s experience in designing and implementing livelihood enhancement projects for women refugees and Ugandan women in refugee hosting – communities has given him a profound understanding of the unique challenges African Women face in securing sustainable livelihoods.
This insight inspired him to found Afroma House Coffee, with a mission to empower women at the base of the economic pyramid, enabling them to achieve self-sustenance and economic stability
Jahmal Sands
Co-Founder Afroma House Chief Operating Officer – The Gold Nile (Africa)
Jahmal Sands
Co Founder of Afroma House Coffee
Jahmal Sands is the Co-Founder of Afroma House Coffee and Chief Operating Officer of the Gold Nile (Africa) LLC.
With over 15 years of experience, he has provided technical and operational leadership in both government and international contexts, including roles at USAID and Coca-Cola. Additionally, he co-founded Entuma, a firm that imports African textiles and handmade goods to the United States. He is an alumnus of both Hampton University and Columbia University.
Afroma House Coffee’s Quality and Origin
Afroma House Coffee is renowned internationally for its superior quality.
Uganda is one of the few Countries with indigenous coffee and its coffee is grown naturally without the use of artificial additives.
The Arabica coffee produced by Afroma House Coffee is cultivated at 7,500 feet Altitude and on ancient volcanic soil, specifically from decayed lava that has been present for over a thousand years on the slopes of Mountain Elgon. This unique geological feature significantly contributes to the coffee’s distinct flavor profile and remarkable aroma.
In addition to Arabica, Afroma also produces Robusta coffee, which is grown in the Nile Valley, one of the most fertile regions in the world. The robust flavor of this coffee variety is influenced by the diverse types of silt deposited by various water bodies flowing into the Nile Valley, enhancing its unique taste.
Uganda has one of the biggest acreages of organic land in the World and most of its coffee is grown by poor small-scale farmers who do not afford the cost of artificial additives.
Sourcing and Quality Control
Afroma House Coffee sources its beans from farmers who adhere strictly to international standards throughout all stages of coffee production, including growing, harvesting, drying, and storage. To ensure high quality, Afroma House Coffee employs handpicking methods during harvest.
The roasting and packaging processes take place at CURAD, a state-of-the-art facility established to support Ugandan coffee exporters in meeting high-quality market standards. This facility plays a crucial role in ensuring that Afroma House Coffee maintains its reputation for excellence.
Afroma House Coffee Quality Certification and Ethical Practices
Afroma House Coffee’s quality is validated by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. The company sources its coffee exclusively from farmers who prioritize environmental sustainability in their production methods. Additionally, Afroma House Coffee has a robust policy that prohibits the use of child labor in its coffee production processes