Cigars from Mozambique hot sellers on global markets

Maputo -In a small neon-lit factory in Maputo, a dozen workers are hand-rolling premium cigars intended for the global market.

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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 and recognisable by its delicate finish is torn in half before being rolled around the cigar.

“Not many people know about African cigars” and that some are produced in Mozambique, said 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, a key producer for cigar aficionados.

Anthony Padilla Perez, who runs the workshop, grew up in the Caribbean nation in a family of tobacco producers.