In a small, neon-lit factory in Maputo, southern Africa, a dozen workers are hand-rolling premium cigars intended for the global market, seemingly undisturbed by the pungent tobacco smell.
Sitting at wooden benches, men and women stack tobacco leaves in one hand – the components must be dry but soft, like the velvety texture of leather.
A large wrapper leaf made in Cameroon, west Africa, and recognisable by its delicate finish is torn in half before being rolled around the cigar, its last layer.
“Not many people know about African cigars” and that some are produced in Mozambique, says Eugenia Mauaie, with a proud smile. The 38-year-old has been working at Bongani Cigars since the company was founded eight years ago.
The tobacco is mainly produced in Mozambique, but for some products it comes from the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, a key producer for cigar aficionados.
