In Rwanda, we work alongside Muraho Trading Co

This partnership helps affiliate co-operatives increase their quality of production, fetch a higher price for their coffee, and introduces them to new markets. This will be a continuous work in progress in the coming years, as we gain a greater understanding of the particular challenges Rwandan coffee producers face.

Through this process, we can develop a model that creates incentives which generate producer buy-in, all the while maximising impact. We supply coffee from across Muraho’s washing stations, which are located in the Nyamasheke, Gakenke, and Nyabihu regions of Rwanda.

Gisheke, the newest member of the Muraho family.

Located in Nyamasheke District, the station overlooks Lake Kivu, with almost 40% of the cherries received at Gisheke coming by boat from Mushungwe Island and other surrounding islands. Gisheke is only accessible by water.

Gisheke’s geographic location makes it ideal for the processing and drying of naturally processed lots. This is due to the consistent wind flow, that moves between two steep hills that lead towards Lake Kivu, Idjwi Island and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Rugali, the largest and busiest of Muraho’s washing stations.

Situated on the shores of Lake Kivu, the drying conditions and windflow here are ideal for ensuring optimal post-pulp drying. Coffee is laid on the drying beds between 12pm and 3pm, to ensure maximum exposure to the sun during the warmest time of the day.

Operational since 2016, Rugali has become an impactful example of a successful washing station for the specialty coffee market. It is a station that has in just a few years produced coffees that have been used in competitions worldwide, and put the Nyamasheke District on the map for high-quality processed Rwandan coffees. The station is located close to its smaller sister station, Kilimbi. These two stations were the first stations in Rwanda to legally export natural and honey processed coffees.

Bumbogo is well renowned for its specialty coffee production

Gakenke District is an area known for high-quality coffee production in Rwanda. It is a highly competitive region, and home to several winning Cup of Excellence lots in recent years. 

Bumbogo is the station closest to Kigali that we work with, built in 2017, and managed by Neza Trading Company. The station has more than doubled its production since 2018, with an impressive expanse of drying beds covering the hills surrounding the washing station itself. The station works alongside the community in ways external to the purchase and processing of its coffee. These value adds when paired can massively improve quality and the yields of a producer’s land.

The members of Shyira produce some of the highest grown coffee that we know of in Rwanda, between 2000-2400 MASL

To widen the regional flavour profiles of the coffee producing districts of Rwanda, Muraho looked to the area of Shyira. The area was chosen for it’s enormous potential for high-quality production of specialty coffee, but also as an area where a large social impact could be made. Shyira is a small station sitting at 1850 MASL on the hillside outside of the main township.

In 2020, the region was hit by environmental disaster, as landslides and persistent rainfall which spread across the region, causing monumental damage to communities and their livelihoods. Through the support of the coffee community, we were able to support the rebuilding efforts.