From family heritage to Grasse know-how
Richmond Koffi embodies the successful fusion of ancestral heritage and modern entrepreneurial vision. An Ivorian perfume designer, his career is closely linked to a family tradition: his mother, a perfumer herself, created traditional perfumes based on cloves and ancestral talc for the rituals of the Akan people. Immersed in this world of scents since childhood, Richmond’s passion naturally led him to Grasse, the perfume capital of the world.
There, for almost two and a half years, he deepened his knowledge of the science of perfumery, learning French savoir-faire and the delicate choice of raw materials in a factory, under the tutelage of designer Arnaud Fourré. This training enabled him not only to preserve his mother’s heritage, but also to modernize it and make it accessible to the whole world.
Between olfactory marketing and niche perfumery
Building on the expertise he acquired in Grasse and driven by his heritage, Richmond Koffi launched his business in 2016. His company, initially named Richkoff Africa Team, initially specialized in ambient fragrances and the creation of customized olfactory logos for businesses (B2B). This innovative approach to olfactory marketing, although still in its infancy, has won over a wide range of customers, including five-star hotels, almost all Ivorian banks, cinemas, multinationals and even institutions such as UNESCO and the French Institute. Richmond has demonstrated the powerful impact of scent on customer experience and brand image.
At the same time, he developed “Maison Richkoff”, a subsidiary dedicated to beauty (B2C). Under this brand, he offers niche fragrances, including bespoke creations for a demanding clientele (individuals, politicians, sportsmen, businessmen, religious figures), as well as collections such as “La Première” (out in 2024) and “Aqua Back” (due out in May). This positioning on high quality fragrances, with carefully designed packaging, has earned him recognition, including the Prix National d’Excellence 2024 for best young entrepreneur.
International expansion
Looking to the future, Richmond Koffi does not intend to limit its ambitions to Côte d’Ivoire. Its vision is global, with plans for expansion in Europe (France), the United States (Miami) and potentially the Middle East (Dubai, Qatar, Oman), thanks to partner teams dedicated to distribution. The strategy favors selective distribution, targeting niche perfume houses rather than mass-market retailers. The aim is to position the Rich Koff brand as a benchmark for exclusivity and “Made in Côte d’Ivoire” quality. Another major area of development is mastering the value chain, from plant to bottle.
The company owns a field of over 275 hectares to grow its own raw materials (rose, ylang-ylang, vetiver, bergamot, etc.), thus enhancing local resources and guaranteeing traceability and quality. Richmond Koffi also sees his role as that of a transmitter of know-how. Having obtained a training qualification, he hopes to help other designers and companies, in Africa and elsewhere, to develop their own perfume brands, in compliance with international standards, thus contributing to the growth of the perfume industry on the continent.
Read also
- Vanessa Azar, founder of the Muse Atelier brand
- Tanal Ghandour, founder of the Scent of Africa perfume brand
- Deployment of Adopt Parfums in Côte d’Ivoire
