Some journeys deepen your understanding of what you create. Others quietly reshape who you are. My recent trip to the Republic of Congo did both.

Safou has always been at the heart of KOBA, powering every formula we create. I’ve often spoken about its benefits; how it nourishes the skin, strengthens the barrier, naturally improves texture and elasticity and brings long-lasting hydration for supple skin. My ambition behind making this film was to explain what safou is about; what it is, how we grow it, how we eat it and what KOBA does with it. However, getting to spend time in Congo, standing beside safou trees, meeting the people who harvest the fruit by hand, and witnessing how deeply it’s woven into everyday life gave the ingredient a weight I hadn’t fully grasped before. 

During filming, the documentary transformed from an educational piece into something that goes beyond KOBA. It became a story of the role safou plays in Congolese society. I am beyond proud to share this story with our KOBA community, shining a spotlight on this ingredient and my hope is that this film helps you to understand the different layers behind KOBA skincare and what sets us apart as a skincare brand.

In the Republic of Congo, and other parts of Central and Western Africa, safou grows in abundance, often in family gardens. "Safou isn't just an ingredient, it's a provider." If you have a safou tree, you have sustenance. You have something to share. You have something to sell if you need to. It’s a quiet provider, offering nourishment, income, and security to the community. Seeing that relationship unfold firsthand reminded me not only of its potential, but also the responsibility that comes with using this ingredient so intentionally.

Seeing this relationship firsthand made me reflect on the responsibility that comes with using this ingredient so intentionally.

The oil we use for KOBA, with my father at the helm, is produced manually, through artisanal methods that require time, care, and physical labour. Being there allowed me to see the process up close, ask better questions, and listen more carefully. What do the farmers need from us? How can we improve quality without compromising tradition? How do we protect the trees we’ve planted for the future? And how do we empower communities and individuals to further realise the economic potential of their garden?

We created this film to tell that story honestly. Not a polished version, but a human one. A film about people, land, and heritage. Safou: A Gift From Nature is the just beginning. 

Behind the Scenes of our Screenings

Before releasing the documentary online, we shared it with our community and friends of KOBA through intimate screenings in London and New York. Sitting together, watching the story unfold, and then talking, really talking, opening the room to conversations about generational knowledge, beauty, and where our products come from was incredibly moving. Those evenings felt less like branded events and more like a gathering. A reminder that KOBA has always been bigger than skincare, it’s about connection and a journey that was born to be shared.

This film is an invitation. To slow down. To look closer. To understand where the products we use every day come from and who they come from.

I’m incredibly grateful to the brands who supported these evenings, especially Puff Puff Ministry and We Drink Chaps, and to Kimberly Bizu in New York and Dija Ayode in London for guiding such thoughtful, generous conversations during our Q&A sessions.

Watch the documentary: Safou: A Gift From Nature on YouTube