EXPLORING THE ART OF CHOCOLATE MAKING: A FIELD VISIT TO EQUATOR CHOCOLATE
On Wednesday 19th February,
Mkazipreneur organized an exciting field visit to Equator Chocolate, an
innovative bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer located on Muyenga Tank Hill
Road along Bukasa Road. The visit brought together 25 women
entrepreneurs eager to learn about the chocolate-making process so as to
understand the industry beyond manufacture but further to business insights, opportunities
and scalability within the cocoa value chain.
The field visit was facilitated by the co-founders
of Equator Chocolate, Mrs. Barbara Gonget and Mr. Gustav Gonget, a dynamic
husband-and-wife duo passionate about crafting high-quality chocolate from
locally sourced cocoa beans. Their company is known for producing white,
brown, and dark chocolate, all made from scratch—transforming raw cocoa
beans into premium chocolate products.
Like many entrepreneurs, their journey to
chocolate manufacturing was not a seamless one, but rather a journey filled
with learning, unlearning and relearning ways to penetrate the Ugandan market
and make the best of their hard work. Starting prior with a branding and
marketing firm, the couple realized the need to do something that brought not
only money into business, but joy and satisfaction as well, which led them to establish
Equator Chocolate.
A Journey from Bean to Bar
The visit began with an insightful
introduction to Equator Chocolate’s mission and vision, emphasizing
their commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and empowering local
cocoa farmers. The women were then guided through the various stages of
chocolate production, including:
- Sourcing and Selection of Cocoa Beans – The process of obtaining high-quality beans from Ugandan
farmers.
- Fermentation and Drying – Critical
steps in enhancing the flavor of the cocoa beans.
- Roasting and Grinding – The
transformation of beans into cocoa liquor, which forms the base of all
chocolate products.
- Tempering and Molding – The final steps that give chocolate its smooth texture and signature shape.
Engaging Discussions & Takeaways
The visit began with an interactive Q&A
session, where attendees asked questions about product development, branding,
and market expansion as well as a couple of expectations they had ahead of the tour
of the chocolate factory.
Through this session, Mrs. Barbara and Mr.
Gustav shared their journey in the chocolate business, highlighting both the
opportunities and challenges in the industry. Like many entrepreneurs, their
path to chocolate manufacturing was filled with learning, unlearning, and
relearning as they navigated the Ugandan market and refined their craft.
Initially running a branding and marketing firm, the couple soon
realized they wanted to pursue something that not only generated income but
also brought them joy and fulfillment—leading to the birth of Equator
Chocolate.
The participants were particularly inspired
by Equator Chocolate’s commitment to quality and innovation, as well as
their direct impact on cocoa farmers by ensuring fair trade practices.
Word from the women
“I have learnt how chocolate is made from
the fermentation process to the roasting and molding. Having been to this
event, I would like to thank Mkazipreneur for this learning field trip which
has been an educational and exciting experience.”
Pauline
“I have seen and learnt a lot about
chocolate manufacturing. I now know about the different types of chocolate
thanks to Equator Chocolate and Mkazipreneur for organizing this event.”
Sarah Mbuembo.
“I am from Jinja and I especially want
to thank Mkazipreneur for organizing this event. I want to thank Mkazipreneur
for supporting women learn potential business prospects like chocolate making.”
Ronah Ngobi.
The field visit to Equator Chocolate was an
enriching experience that combined learning, networking, and hands-on
exposure to Uganda’s growing chocolate industry. It underscored the
importance of local value addition in agriculture and how women entrepreneurs
can tap into niche markets with quality products.
Mkazipreneur extends its gratitude to Mrs.
Barbara and Mr. Gustav Gonget for their hospitality and for sharing their
wealth of knowledge. As Mkazipreneur continues to empower women-led businesses,
such immersive experiences serve as a steppingstone toward innovation,
sustainability, and economic growth.
