Born in the industrial Ruhr area of West Germany, during a time it was plagued by severe pollution, Dominik Collenberg vividly recalls a life-changing incident from his childhood that set the tone for his entrepreneurial path.
“A plunge into the contaminated waters of the Ruhr River left me ill for days. Witnessing the fear in my mother’s eyes ignited a lifelong pledge within me—to ensure that my actions would always yield positive environmental outcomes.
“I went on to obtain a master’s in economics and Organic Farming in Germany, which led me to China, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. I now have 40 years of experience in my field and my passion for regenerative and organic farming continues to be reflected in my work in the Southern African region and particularly in Zimbabwe,” explains Dominik.
Inspired by Zimbabwe
When Dominik arrived in Zimbabwe in 2007, he remembers being drawn to the huge farming potential of the Southern African country.
While he also came to terms with the challenging economic environment brought about by high levels of inflation, the entrepreneurial mind in him looked beyond all these challenges.
“I knew immediately that this was the country in which I could make an impact. The levels of unemployment and poverty, due to the rampant inflation, had multiplied in 2007. The rural people were starving, and many had pulled their children out of school.
“Small-scale farmers were trapped in a vicious cycle of heavy reliance on imported inputs, unsustainable methods of farming, volatile produce markets, low producer prices, and lack of marketing.
“Yet the potential was enormous for value-added organic production, processing and marketing of premium value herbs, spices and medicinal plants, drawing upon indigenous knowledge systems and building on existing networks,” says Dominik.
Partnering with Small-Scale Farmers
Organic Africa was born as Dominik’s entrepreneurial journey took a defining turn. His experience and passion enabled him to effectively lead an organization that works together with small-scale farming communities to harvest and cultivate high value certified herbs, spices, essential oils and medicinal indigenous plants.
All their products are fully organically certified, making them a key player in the Southern African environmentally sustainable farming space.
Organic Africa is headquartered in Harare, where there are 25 employees. They have established partnerships with 3 500 small-scale farmers and 7 000 wild collectors all over the country, with 10 extension officers and area supervisors.
“Organic Africa takes pride in cooperating and partnering small-scale farmers and wild collectors, training them in organic farming and certification, as a means of achieving the very best quality products, which are internationally certified (Organic EU and NOP, Fairtrade and FairWild).
“We also provide them with fair prices for their organically grown and processed or sustainably wild harvested produce, linking them to local and global markets to boost their incomes.
“Organic Africa is a unique blend of socially responsible entrepreneurship as its principles are not restricted to the crops that partner farmers and wild collectors export: they build the foundation for an increase in productivity of all crops that the small-scale producers grow,” Dominik says.
Keeping up with Change
Since 2007, the organic impact business landscape has evolved significantly since Dominik and his team started their operations. There has been an increase in consumer demand for ethical, sustainable and organic products.
That the market for organic products is growing annually in the double-digit range is a developmnet that is as encouraging to Dominik as it is a reminder of the huge potential for expansion.
“The compound annual growth rate for organic products from 2019 to 2025 was 16.4%.
Governments and global markets have also tightened certification standards, such as organic EU/NOP, FairWild, Fairtrade, requiring businesses to be more transparent and compliant.
“Additionally, technological advancements in agriculture, digital supply chain tracking, and regenerative farming have transformed how organic businesses operate. To stay ahead, I focus on continuous innovation and adaptability.
“This includes leveraging technology for traceability, investing in farmer education and sustainability programs, and forging strong partnerships with ethical suppliers and impact-driven investors.
“We manage our value chains sustainably from plant to collector to processing and shipping to customers. Staying informed through industry networks, trade expos, and regulatory updates ensures compliance and competitiveness,” explains Dominik.
Unique Solutions for Unique Challenges
Dominik admits how running Organic Africa presented unique challenges that tested both his resilience and adaptability. One major obstacle was establishing sustainable supply chains with small-scale farmers while ensuring organic certification compliance.
“Many farmers lacked the necessary knowledge and resources, so we invested in training programs and support systems. This taught me the importance of training and long-term relationship building in business.
“Another challenge was navigating international markets and meeting stringent international market standards – which differ by region and customer. Overcoming this required continuous learning, strong partnerships, and adapting to regulatory changes. Additionally, securing funding in Zimbabwe for expansion was extremely difficult, pushing me to develop strategic financial planning and compelling business pitches.
“Through these experiences, I learned that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand, but success demands persistence, adaptability, and will not change my commitment to ethical practices.”
Growing with the Community
Hard work, determination and putting the community first in everything they do has worked wonders for Dominik and his team. Organic Africa is now the leading impact enterprise producing and processing organic, Fairwild and Fairtrade products in partnership with small-scale farmers and wild collectors in Southern Africa.
“We link farmers and wild collectors to local, regional and international markets, guaranteeing them better prices, generating employment, improving incomes and enhancing food security.
“The extra income they earn enables them to educate their children, obtain adequate health care, and achieve a better quality of life.
“As a leader, I have learned that success through fostering trust, transparency, and resilience, has enabled me to build a business that thrives on impact, integrity, and adaptability, ensuring lasting growth for both the business and the people it serves.”
Organic Africa also pioneered the development of baobab production in 2008 and became the first exporter of baobab from Southern Africa in 2009. By placing value on indigenous plant resources like baobab, we provide partnering wild collectors and small-scale producers with a strong incentive to conserve those resources for the future.
Giving Back and Looking Ahead
Today, Organic Africa is the leading producer of both rosella and baobab in Southern Africa, directly supporting more than 10 000 families.
These triumphs, and particularly how Organic Africa has become a major contributor towards a better environment in Southern Africa, is what makes the young boy who took a pledge after his dangerous dive into the Ruhr River so many years ago sleep better at night.
Dominik also has a sense of fulfillment because his efforts have brought so much positive changes in the lives of disadvantaged members of the community. This gives him the energy and inspiration to achieve more.
