MoringaConnect, founded in 2013 by Kwami Williams and Emily Cunningham, is an MIT-Harvard spin-out that has transformed the agricultural landscape in Ghana by utilizing the versatile moringa tree, known as “the miracle tree” or “the never-die tree.” The startup created the first fully vertically integrated moringa supply chain in Ghana, producing nutritious beverages and snacks under the Minga Foods brand and beauty products under the award-winning True Moringa brand, which are sold in North America.
With two processing facilities in Ghana, MoringaConnect utilizes proprietary in-house technologies to convert moringa seeds into oils and leaves into powders. By purchasing raw materials from over 5,000 smallholder farmers at fair prices, the company not only processes these resources locally but also creates jobs and lifts the standard of living for rural communities. The enterprise’s mission is to move smallholder farmers from poverty to prosperity, with many farmers seeing a tenfold increase in income.
MoringaConnect has planted over 3 million moringa trees and continues to expand its social impact, with recognition from Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and The Economist. Despite the growing global demand for moringa oil, particularly in the cosmetics industry, many farmers lack access to commercial-scale processing equipment. MoringaConnect addresses this by providing training, tools, and market access, allowing farmers to tap into the global moringa market and benefit from its potential.
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