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Our Team

Ingrid Karera

Founder

Ingrid Karera is a Rwandan-Swiss businesswoman and the Co-Founder, Shareholder and Director of the family-owned business AFRIKOA Chocolate.

Ingrid returned to Africa after spending nearly 3 decades outside the continent, when she answered the call to actively partake in the reconstruction of her country of origin, Rwanda. Her passion for Social Impact Business was ignited when she became involved in small scale farming with the collaboration of Rwandan farmers.These early days led her to finding her true purpose and life mission: to become an advocate for farmers and marginalised communities through the creation of an ethical and holistic business model that treads lightly on its entire supply chain. From healthy soil to happy people, one chocolate bite at a time.

As a result, Ingrid relocated to Cape Town, South Africa and founded AFRIKOA Chocolate with her late husband Dr. Thomas Eisenring, a company that now provides the much-needed transformation in the holistic chocolate value chain in Africa. AFRIKOA chocolate has thoughtfully addressed each stage of the value chain, with the view of creating upliftment and impact and is the single biggest reason why AFRIKOA Chocolate is of a quality that rivals European brands.

Kyle Hickman

Head Chocolatier

Kyle earned a qualification in Professional Cookery and Patisserie at the South African Chefs Academy and went on to work with international brands known for culinary excellence such as One&Only Resorts and Lindt Chocolate.

Despite these dazzling achievements, his love for all things chocolate grew out of the special times he spent in a kitchen baking with his mother and grandmother as a youngster. Kyle now channels all that love into creating Afrikoa Chocolate delights that light up people’s eyes.

Mellissa Leslene Bussey

Operations Manager

Mellissa is an ‘all-or-nothing’ kind of person, who takes each day on with commitment and with an incredible work ethic that she learned from an early age working alongside her father in his business. She has faced and overcome many of life’s challenges, but has not allowed these to change her deep rooted sense of kindness and compassion. These life lessons serve her well in her role as the Operations Manager at Afrikoa Chocolate, where she expertly juggles financial aspects of the business, operational planning and efficiencies with supporting our staff in the business as well as keeping an keen eye on our online store.

Mellissa says she has found a family at Afrikoa Chocolate, and is deeply inspired by the mission and vision of the business. She has dreams of travelling to Switzerland to see the snow fall. But we believe she wants to show them how amazing chocolate made in Africa really is.

Clinton Dante

Sales Manager

Clinton brings over two decades of experience in sales, operations, and FMCG to Afrikoa Chocolate. Over the course of his career, he has managed regional and national accounts, driven growth in competitive markets, and successfully introduced new products to both local and international audiences.

Known for his ability to build strong client relationships, craft and execute strategic sales plans, and deliver consistent results, Clinton combines discipline and organisation with a hands on leadership style. He approaches his work with the same patience and focus he enjoys while fishing, and the sense of freedom and adventure he finds in boating and the outdoors.

With a proven track record of growing sales across retail and hospitality channels while ensuring profitability and long-term customer loyalty, Clinton is passionate about teamwork and business development. He is excited to bring his expertise and vision to Afrikoa, supporting our mission to share world-class African chocolate with more customers across the region and beyond.