Their coffees, carefully selected to represent the future brand of Rwanda, based on the best quality coffee Rwanda can produce, have attracted numerous buyers, are slowly but surely winning international auctions, thereby steadily expanding their market.
'They taught us how to handle coffee from the farm all the way to the cup,' Moses Mbonimpaye, a coffee farmer and member of the KOPAKAKI cooperative, told IGIHE.
'Farmers knew about coffee, but the returns didn’t match their investments. An expert from JICA advised us to first help the farmer improve productivity at the tree level because that’s where it all begins,' he added.
Mbonimpaye noted that the program offered diverse training opportunities, including study tours to countries like Colombia, Costa Rica and the USA, to observe how top producers manage processing, rejuvenate old coffee trees, and prepare beans for export.
Benoit Habinshuti, representing the ARABICA Cooperative, said the process transformed their approach.
'Before, we processed coffee the way we thought best, without much ambition for the international market,' he said. 'But after working with JICA, we realised the value of global trade. They showed us how to prepare coffee that meets export standards. Now, we are confident our coffee can compete internationally.'
Building skills and confidence
JICA’s interventions have been especially impactful for coffee cooperatives, which received technical assistance, training, and exposure to global best practices. They have transformed the industry, helping them achieve higher yields and reach broader international markets.
The collaboration began in 2013 when JICA committed to assisting Rwandan coffee farmers and exporters in producing beans of exceptional qualityâ”authentic, flavorful, and competitive on the global stage.
In 2017, this commitment expanded through partnerships with the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board (RAB).
Together, they launched two major projects focused on strengthening the entire coffee value chain. These initiatives aimed to equip farmers and processors with the technical knowledge and marketing skills needed to elevate Rwanda’s coffee internationally.
Rwanda to the world
In 2024, JICA and NAEB introduced Best of Rwanda, an initiative designed to promote Rwandan coffee on the global stage. The initiative invites coffee processors to present their best beans, and the top 19 selected from nearly 300 nationwide entries, were auctioned to international buyers in 2024.
At these auctions, the highest price has spiked over Frw 100,000 per kilogram, and the other top 18 sells for no less than Frw 50,000 per kilogram, while the recent international purchase price for Rwanda’s coffee averages Frw 10,000 per kilogram.
Kosuke Nakajima, a JICA expert, emphasized that Rwandan coffee is steadily building a strong reputation worldwide and reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting both farmers and exporters.
He added that ongoing efforts are focused on developing a distinctive Rwanda Coffee Brandâ”a label that can stand out globally, just as other coffee-producing nations have successfully done.
Participants in Best of Rwanda highlight that even those who don’t win international bids benefit from the exposure.
By observing peers and learning from international buyers, they gain insights into how to further refine their products. Many say the showcase is invaluable, drawing attention from major international companies and opening new doors for the sector.
The farmers’ appreciation comes as JICA marks 20 years since reopening its Rwanda office, where it has supported several sectors, including coffee.
Some coffee farmers across Rwanda say the last 12 years have been transformative.
JICA’s interventions have been especially impactful for coffee cooperatives, which received technical assistance, training, and exposure to global best practices.
The coffee is selected to represent the future brand of Rwanda, based on the best quality coffee Rwanda can produce.
Participants in Best of Rwanda highlight that even those who don’t win international bids benefit from the exposure.
