Mrembo Naturals

In the lush green hills of Muheza, Tanga, mornings begin with the earthy scent of cocoa pods cracking open and the rustle of spice leaves in the wind. With most of the farmers there being women, their daily rhythm in the fields has shaped lives for generations yet for years, their work remained unseen, undervalued, and underpaid.

That began to change when Mrembo Naturals came into their story.

Mrembo Naturals, a growing Tanzanian cosmetics brand, has long been committed to creating beauty products made from locally sourced natural ingredients from spices to cocoa to herbal extracts. Before joining the iMbeju Program by CRDB Bank Foundation, the business operated on limited working capital, meaning the founder could only buy small quantities from a few farmers at a time. For the women who make up most of these farmers, their talent and hard work were evident, yet their harvests had no guaranteed market.

“When we couldn’t buy in bulk, they would lose part of their produce,” the founder recalls. “It broke my heart because their effort deserved so much more.”

Through an online advertisement, she learned about the Imbeju Program and decided to apply. The soft loan and flexible financing she received became more than business capital but a community capital. With the new funds, Mrembo Naturals could finally buy raw materials in bulk, directly from women farmers and not just five of them as before, but over thirty women across Muheza.

That change rippled quickly through the villages.

Now, these women can sell their cocoa and spices consistently, at fair prices, and on time. They can plan their seasons with confidence, knowing there is a market waiting for them.

“Before, we used to wait and hope someone would come to buy,” says one of the farmers. “Now we harvest knowing Mrembo will take everything we produce. That means we can send our children to school and even hire others to help.”

Through this new stability, at least five more women have found indirect employment in spice collection and preparation. What used to be an uncertain harvest season is now a steady source of income, pride, and empowerment.

‘’The beauty of this business is not only in the products we make,” the founder explains softly. “The Imbeju Program has helped us witness transformation, women believing that their hands and their land can build their future.”

The impact is visible far beyond the farm gates. Mrembo Naturals’ commitment to buying locally has helped create a value chain led by women, connecting farmers, processors, and young

women employees in operations and finance all contributing to a growing, self-sustaining ecosystem.

Still, challenges remain. Transporting materials from remote villages is costly, and logistics continue to limit how much the company can buy. But the next step is already in motion: setting up small extraction centers near the farms to make production more efficient and bring even more value to rural women.

For Mrembo Naturals, “beauty isn’t just what’s seen in the mirror, it’s the dignity that comes from opportunity”.

“Our dream,” says the founder, “is for every woman we buy from to see herself as a businesswoman and not just a farmer. Because when women grow, communities bloom.”