Thanks to its most popular cigars, Africa is increasingly emerging as a creator of premium cigars, gaining recognition among global aficionados.
Cameroon Cigars
During the 20th century, Cameroon carved out a prominent place in tobacco culture. Grown under the full sun, the Cameroon Wrapper is recognized as a high-end cape leaf. The Cameroon Wrapper graces, among others, the Arturo Fuente Don Carlos and the Flor Dominicana Cameroon Cabinet.
Cameroonian cigars offer a harmonious tasting experience with earthy and woody undertones.
Here are a few quality premium Cameroon cigars:
- Aurora 1903 Edition Cameroon Robusto: This cigar is composed of Dominican, Brazilian and Cameroonian tobacco. The wrapper is made with a Cameroon Wrapper leaf.
- New World Cameroon Toro—AJ Fernandez: The New World Cameroon Toro offers beautiful notes of chocolate and coffee. The binder and filler consist of Nicaraguan tobaccos while the wrapper is rolled with Cameroonian tobacco.
Zimbabwean Cigars
As the world’s 6th largest tobacco producer, Zimbabwe targets the global cigar market.
The country primarily cultivates Burley, a local tobacco, along with Virginian and Oriental tobacco. For cigar production, it imports tobacco leaves from Malawi, Cameroon, Indonesia and the Caribbean. Most of the manufacturing workshop staff are women trained by experts from Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
- Mosi Oa Tunya (“the rumbling smoke”) is Zimbabwe’s most renowned cigar. This Corona Gorda is celebrated for its refined aromas and superior craftsmanship. The tasting experience reveals earthy and spicy undertones.
In addition to being consumed locally, Zimbabwean cigars are exported to markets in South Africa and the Middle East.
Mozambique, an Emerging Scene for Premium Cigars
The cigar currently most emblematic of the African continent is produced in Mozambique by torcedores trained in traditional Cuban techniques.
The filler of the Bongani cigar blends tobacco from Mozambique, Nigeria and the Dominican Republic, while the wrapper is crafted with Cameroonian tobacco.
Medium to full bodied, Bongani cigars unleash notes of earth, spices and cocoa.
3 Bongani Cigars
- Bongani Gordo. A full-bodied cigar with aromas of dark chocolate, coffee and spices.
- Bongani Toro. Well-structured and ranging from medium to full-bodied, this Toro offers smooth and creamy flavours.
- Bongani Robusto. Wrapped in Cameroonian leaves, this Mozambican cigar initially presents flavours of coffee, earth and leather, gradually revealing notes of cocoa.
Brands and Prices for the best African Cigars
Examples of Cameroun cigar prices:
- Aurora 1903 Edition Cameroun Robusto: $18 (each)
- New World Cameroon Toro—AJ Fernandez: $16.50 (each)
Examples of Mozambique cigar prices
- Bongani Gordo: 350 CAD (box of 20)
- Bongani Toro: 375 CAD (box of 20)
- Bongani Robusto: 400 CAD (box of 20)
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive cigar in Africa?
According to experts, Bongani cigars (from Mozambique) are rated the highest among aficionados.
Are African cigars good?
Yes. Made with local tobacco, brands such as Mosi Oa Tunya and Bongani offer cigar enthusiasts very good quality. In fact, the quality of premium African cigars has been improving year after year.
What is the average price of a good cigar?
In 2025, the average price of a premium cigar, such as an Arturo Fuente or a Montecristo, is around 35 to 45 CAD per unit.
Which Cigar is the best-selling in the world?
Our research indicates that the Robusto format tends to dominate the market. In terms of volume sales, Nicaraguan cigars, like the Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo, and Dominican cigars, like the Arturo Fuente Opus X Oro Oscuro, appear to lead international sales.
The Pomerantz Foundation
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A cigar enthusiast, Terry Pomerantz shares his expert advice on the different brands, types of cigars, and essential accessories to have. Immerse yourself in his recommendations to magnify your experience with each cigar, which you can enjoy in good company, an invitation to take the time to live each moment to the full.