South Sudan has been plagued by crises that West Africa reporter Sam Mednick has covered extensively. On a reporting trip last year, she learned of an initiative that could showcase the country in a different light—one centered on a rare, climate-resistant coffee bean with the potential to improve farmers’ livelihoods.
The story took months of planning for Mednick and photographer Brian Inganga, who had to time their trip precisely and secure passage, ultimately boarding a UN flight. Just days before their scheduled departure, fighting erupted in the area. Despite the challenges, they made it to the plantation, where Mednick also shot her own video.
The resulting story—told through text, photos, video, and an Instagram reel—was widely used and even sparked a Reddit thread.
While trade publications had reported on the climate resilience of excelsa coffee, no outlet had explored its economic potential for farmers. AP’s exclusive coverage delivered a compelling sustainability story that stood apart.
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