Throughout the second half of the twentieth century, the Democratic Republic of Congo underwent significant changes in its economic and commercial structure. These were particularly evident in provinces such as North Kivu. The economy of this region, which had long relied on agriculture, began to introduce new forms of commerce, including regional trade, retail activities, and, finally, international exports. These changes were driven primarily by individuals and businesses that adjusted to shifting economic realities and increasing market needs. TSONGO KASEREKA Establishments (Ets. TSOKAS) was one such business that embodied this transformation, starting small and spreading to wider regional influence. The career path of Jerome Kahindo Kamungele, directly associated with this establishment, is a case study of piecemeal but purposeful business expansion in an emerging economy.
Kamungele joined TSONGO KASEREKA Establishments in 1967. The company was at an embryonic stage then, operating as a small convenience shop in the village of Katwa. It was established by Mr. Joel TSONGO KASEREKA, who started the business after acquiring capital through agricultural activities. With Kamungele joining the management team the same year, the seed was sown for a partnership that would set the company’s long-term trajectory. The move to operate a store in Katwa was typical of numerous businesses of the time—meeting basic consumer demand in under-serviced areas. It also placed the company within the broader trend of rural trade networks formalizing in the 1960s and 1970s.
The North Kivu business climate at that time was both restricting and promising. There was limited infrastructure, and supply chains proved to be inconsistent. However, the demand for day-to-day commodities remained stable and increased. Kamungele’s initial years in the company were spent stabilizing operations and gradually expanding the store’s stock to meet the needs of local citizens. By the early 1970s, the shop had reached a point where it could sustain itself and consider expanding into more populous areas. The first points of sale in additional areas were opened in Butembo, a business town that was rapidly becoming a key player in North Kivu’s regional economy.
Expansion in Butembo marked a change in the company’s size. The urban environment expanded the customer base, enabling wider exposure, but also introduced additional logistical complexities. Kamungele, who by this point was taking on more essential management responsibilities, helped guide the transition. The company’s growing presence in Butembo enabled it to tap new markets and challenge local competitors. Store retailing within the region was becoming more formalized during the mid-1970s, and the expansion of Ets. TSOKAS occurred at the same time as this larger commercial wave.
In 1975, Kamungele officially became the company’s Managing Director. This appointment was timely, as the company was just beginning to consider operations outside the retail market. With him at the helm, the firm began to explore the possibility of coffee, a product that had been at the heart of the DRC’s agricultural production for many years. Coffee exports in the late 1970s accounted for a significant portion of the nation’s agricultural export value, according to data from the National Coffee Office (ONC). Seizing on this possibility, Ets. TSOKAS obtained official approval to export coffee in 1978 from the Regulatory Authority of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This represented the moment of truth for the business, formally launching it into a regulated, globally focused industry.
Coffee exportation requires adherence to a number of standards, including quality control, product consistency, and traceability. Kamungele was engaged in managing the construction of the infrastructure needed to satisfy these regulatory requirements. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the firm began purchasing cherries and green coffee from local farmers, processing them in its curing mills at the farmgate, and exporting them to foreign markets, mainly Italy for Robusta coffee and Belgium for Arabica coffee. The firm’s involvement in the coffee industry placed it in a web of Congolese exporters who had emerged as key players in the national economy.
Another landmark was achieved in 1986 when the company opened a coffee processing plant at Butembo. This enabled the firm to process the coffee internally, thereby having greater control over quality and delivery times. It was also consistent with international trends toward vertical integration, in which firms sought to control multiple stages of manufacturing and distribution. The Butembo facility represented a significant capital investment and signaled the company’s long-term intentions in the coffee sector. It also created jobs in the area, contributing to the local economy during a period of limited employment opportunities.
Beyond coffee, Kamungele also oversaw diversification into other sectors during the late 1980s and into the 1990s as Ets. TSOKAS entered real estate and imports. It bought properties in various urban areas, including Goma, Bunia, Kisangani, and Kinshasa. The real estate investments were not merely business—they served as a way of asset diversification during times of national economic instability. Concurrently, the company diversified its import activities, importing products from foreign suppliers and distributing them via its retail outlets. These foreign goods comprised household items, electronics, and staples that were not locally available or were in short supply.
The capacity to manage operations in several sectors needed changes in organizational logistics and structure. Kamungele’s responsibility was to oversee this complexity so the company could ensure consistent delivery of its services amid the varying demands of each sector. The company retained its regional importance during the early 2000s, particularly in Butembo, where retail and wholesale services were still operational.
Over the decades, the development of the Ets. TSOKAS should be seen in relation to the broader developments of North Kivu’s economy. The company’s expansion into retail and international export, and eventual diversification, echoed the experiences of many regional companies trying to respond to economic reforms and market changes. Kamungele’s long tenure as the company’s leader put him at the nexus of these developments, always within the organizational and regulatory framework of the DRC’s evolving business environment.
Today, Ets. TSOKAS remains active in several sectors, and its path offers insights into how businesses in emerging economies can grow from informal retail beginnings into organized, multi-sector operations. The career development of Jerome Kahindo Kamungele, from a single store in Katwa to ventures like coffee processing and real estate, illustrates one pattern of regional entrepreneurship across the Democratic Republic of Congo in the post-independence period.
Jerome Kahindo Kamungele, who tragically passed away in 2020, stayed engaged with the company throughout his lifetime, ensuring its stability and strategic trajectory. His working legacy, linked to decades of economic transition in North Kivu, is reflected not only in the industries the company ventured into but also in how those industries influenced regional commercial environments during periods of change and expansion.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on available historical and business records related to TSONGO KASEREKA Establishments (Ets. TSOKAS) and Jerome Kahindo Kamungele’s career. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the details shared here may not fully capture all aspects of the company’s history and may rely on publicly available sources, which may be subject to interpretation. Readers are encouraged to verify facts and consult primary sources for more comprehensive insights.
