Corporate lawyer turned entrepreneur, Monica Musonda is the founder of Java Foods, a Zambian-based food processing & consumer goods manufacturer. By way of background, Monica is a dual-qualified English solicitor and Zambian advocate with over 16 years post qualification experience. She has held senior positions in private practice with Clifford Chance & Edward Nathan as well as worked as in-house corporate counsel at International Finance Corporation and for the Dangote Group. Her experience working with Aliko Dangote, one of Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs gave her the impetus to start Java Foods.

Monica currently serves as a non-executive director on several boards including Airtel Networks Zambia Plc & Zambian Breweries (where she is chair), Zambeef Plc, and Arcelor Mittal South Africa Plc. She is the recipient of the 2017 African Agribusiness Entrepreneur of the Year award, which is an award conferred annually to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in agricultural input and value addition in Africa. She is a Young Global Leader (World Economic Forum) and Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow. Forbes Magazine and Africa Investor named her as one of the leading Young Power Women in Business in Africa in 2013 and 2014 respectively. When she is not manufacturing food, she speaks at several conferences on entrepreneurship, women empowerment & the role of business in the Global Nutrition agenda. She is passionate about food & is trying to get her running shoes back on.

Other Awards:

Certificate of Recognition by Zambia Association of Manufacturers “Fast Growth Woman-Owned Business Award” 2021 2nd Prize Female Agribusiness Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2021 (Zambia Association of Manufacturers) Push Woman Awards (Manufacturing) 2017

Rachel is a fellow certified chartered accountant (FCCA) with over 13 years of accounting experience in the FMCG industry in Zambia. Prior to joining Java Foods, she was the Management Accountant at Parmalat Zambia, and before that she was the Country Finance Coordinator at Nestle Zambia. In February 2016, Rachel joined Java Foods Ltd as Finance Manager, where she played a key role in getting the company investment ready by ensuring the credibility of accounts generated, enforcing internal controls, and establishing and training the accounting team. Rachel’s current work responsibilities include supporting the key operational functions of the business by ensuring reliable, accurate information is availed to facilitate informed and timely decision-making to drive growth and profitability. She finds satisfaction and pride in contributing to the growth and success of a Zambian company.

Peter is a resulted centered Sales and Marketing specialist with over 16 years Sales & Marketing Experience in FMCG. He worked with Nestle as Areas Sales Manager and Global industries as Head of Sales and Marketing before joining Parmalat as Regional Sales Manager and later Logistics Manager. He further worked for Heineken as Area Sales for the Zambian Market before joining Java Foods as Head of Sales and Marketing in March 2021. His role at Java requires him to be hands on and drive Commercial growth on the local Market as well as the Export Market. As part of his task, he must achieve monthly Sales target both volume and value for the company. He also makes sure the right communication channels are being use for the marketing of the brand/product and Positioning.

Stephen Opondo is a registered engineer (R.Eng) with the Engineering Institute of Zambia (IEZ) and a full member (MIET) of the Institute of Engineering Technologists and Technician (IET) in Kenya. He has over 15 years of experience in the FMCG industry in Kenya, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Zambia. Before Joining Java Foods, he served as the production Engineer of Indomie Kenya, and before that he was a technical team leader with Coca-Cola Juices Kenya Limited Stephen joined Java Foods in September 2019 with a key role of installation of instant noodle line, formulation of local noodle and training of production team this being the first instant noodle line in Zambia. He currently is involved in Lean Manufacturing techniques implementation, Total Preventive Maintenance, Production planning and execution, and Staff training and skill transfer. Stephen finds satisfaction in problem-solving and has a strong belief that every problem has a solution.

Kalolo Musonda has a background in I.T. and Business Studies which he studied earlier in China and later in the United Kingdom. He worked for Select Service Partner UK (SSP UK) in the stores and retail division for nine years. It was at SSP UK that he developed the interest in supply chain and brought that experience to Java Foods. At Java Foods he started as a Warehouse Manager and is now the Supply Chain Manager. Kalolo has been with Java Foods since July 2012 and has often said he keeps growing as Java Foods keeps growing. Kalolo experienced first-hand the inception of the company to its current growth and expects to continue to be a part of the wonderful journey that Java Foods is going on.

Sally Kabwebwe is the Head of Quality Control and Food Safety at Java Foods with nine years of work experience in the food manufacturing industry. She specializes in developing and implementing food safety management systems based on HACCP, ISO 22,000 or FSSC 22,000 requirements. Sally is responsible for staff training, development of operating procedures, coordinating the HACCP study and meetings, reviewing customer complaints, evaluating and analyzing process monitoring information and implementing good manufacturing practices. Sally uses her positive attitude and energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Her core values are lifelong learning, collaboration and passion. In her free time, she likes to travel, see new places and see things grow.