From Policy to Practice: Mr. Steven Kamga’s Vision for Jiwaka’s Economic Renaissance

From Policy to Practice: Mr. Steven Kamga’s Vision for Jiwaka’s Economic Renaissance

Jiwaka Province stands as a region of immense potential. Part of the provinces initial development narrative is Mr. Steven Kamga, a visionary leader whose career spans critical public service as the Pioneer Jiwaka Provincial Planner and current private sector impact as the Managing Director of Wuna Coffee Ltd.

Mr. Kamga’s work is defined by a steadfast commitment to the "bottom-up" development model—a philosophy that transitions from theoretical planning to tangible economic empowerment for rural communities, specifically within the Jimi District.

As the former and pioneer Provincial Planner, Mr. Kamga was instrumental in architecting the developmental framework for a young Jiwaka Province. His tenure was marked by a shift away from top-down mandates toward a model of community engagement and empowerment. By ensuring that the voices of local residents guided social, economic, and environmental policies, he fostered a sense of provincial ownership that remains a cornerstone of the region’s growth.

Now leading Wuna Coffee Ltd, Mr. Kamga has narrowed his focus to the backbone of Jiwaka’s economy: the coffee industry. In the Jimi District, coffee is more than a commodity; it is the lifeblood of the community. Under his leadership, Wuna Coffee Ltd acts as a vehicle for rural rejuvenation, focusing on several key strategic pillars:

• Capacity Building & Sustainability: By introducing modern agronomic practices and providing access to technical training, Mr. Kamga ensures that Jimi farmers can improve yields while maintaining environmentally friendly, organic standards.

• The Cooperative Model: Recognizing that fragmented smallholders lack market power, Mr. Kamga advocates for the establishment of cooperatives. This allows farmers to pool resources, share knowledge, and strengthen their collective bargaining position in both domestic and international markets.

• Value Addition & Processing: A critical component of the Wuna Coffee strategy is moving beyond the sale of raw parchment. By investing in local processing facilities, Mr. Kamga enables farmers to capture a larger share of the value chain, transitioning toward specialty coffee production that commands premium pricing.

• Global Market Positioning: Leveraging the unique high-altitude and volcanic soil profiles of the Jimi District, Mr. Kamga is working to position Jiwaka coffee as a premium global brand, emphasizing authenticity and superior quality to attract international buyers.

Mr. Kamga’s approach is deeply attached in social equity. He places a specific emphasis on the empowerment of women within the coffee sector. Recognizing that women perform the bulk of cultivation and processing tasks, Wuna Coffee Ltd prioritizes their access to financial resources and leadership roles, ensuring that the benefits of the coffee industry are felt across the entire family unit.

The transition of Mr. Steven Kamga from the halls of provincial planning to the front lines of the coffee industry represents a seamless continuation of service. Through Wuna Coffee Ltd, he is proving that when professional planning expertise meets local resource management, the result is a resilient, thriving, and self-determined future for the people of Jiwaka. His work remains a benchmark for how sustainable development can be achieved through the marriage of vision, community respect, and economic innovation.