🇷🇼 Rwanda
Page updated: @November 28, 2024
Looking for more recent information? Check out the Producer Updates section for the latest news from Rwamatamu Coffee.
Contents
- Contents
- Location
- History
- Operations and Location
- Social Impact Initiatives
- Women’s Cooperative
- Youth Cooperative
- Coffee Quality and Processing
- Collaboration and Innovation
- International Recognition and Achievements
- Marketing Assets
- Producer Updates
Rwamatamu Coffee is a Rwandan coffee producer established in 2015 by Mukantwaza Laetitia and Rutaganda Gaston. Based in the Nyamasheke District of Rwanda’s Western Province, Rwamatamu is known for its commitment to quality coffee production, sustainable practices, and its strong community impact. Operating in one of Rwanda’s prime coffee-growing regions, Rwamatamu collaborates with local cooperatives, prioritising the economic and social wellbeing of the farmers they work with.
Location
History
Rwamatamu Coffee was established in 2015 by Laetitia Mukantwaza and Gaston Rutaganda, who at the time already had 13 years of experience in Rwanda’s coffee sector. The company was founded not only as a business venture but also as a means to address poverty in rural areas through fair wages, consistent employment, and support for women in coffee farming. Initially based in Nyamasheke District along Lake Kivu, Rwamatamu has grown to include multiple locations and now operates two coffee washing stations in Western Rwanda: the original station in Nyamasheke and a newer one in Mbare.
Operations and Location
Rwamatamu Coffee’s primary operations are located at high elevations in Rwanda’s tropical highland climate, where the combination of volcanic soil, altitudes of 1,600–2,000 meters, and moderate temperatures provide ideal conditions for growing arabica coffee. The company’s harvest season typically runs from January to March, with the coffee beans fully washed using natural spring water, sun-dried, and handpicked to maintain quality standards.
In 2023, Rwamatamu expanded to a new coffee washing station in Mbare, approximately 65 miles from Nyamasheke. Unlike Nyamasheke, where coffee farming is well-established, Mbare’s community has historically focused on other crops, and coffee is often treated as secondary. Rwamatamu is working to shift this perspective by engaging local farmers and establishing quality-focused practices to improve coffee production and increase profitability for the farmers involved.
Social Impact Initiatives
Women’s Cooperative
Founded by Laetitia Mukantwaza, the Women’s Cooperative at Rwamatamu Coffee aims to provide a reliable income for the seasonal female workforce in the Nyamasheke region. Rwamatamu Coffee has dedicated a plot of land and provided coffee saplings specifically for the women of the cooperative. Through this initiative, the cooperative members receive hands-on training in planting, cultivation, and fertilization, empowering them to manage the coffee plot independently. The women cultivate the crop and, at harvest time, sell their coffee cherries back to Rwamatamu Coffee, creating a dependable source of income beyond seasonal employment.
Over time, the cooperative will use their income to purchase the land from Rwamatamu, which will eventually give the women full ownership of the plot. This arrangement provides an alternative income source outside of seasonal employment, fostering long-term financial stability for the women in the valley.
In 2024, a roasting partner gifted the cooperative with a herd of goats, a gesture that has further enhanced the sustainability of the operation. These goats are valuable not only as a source of milk but also for their manure, which can be used as an organic fertiliser to enrich the soil and improve coffee yield.
Youth Cooperative
In response to community interest, Rwamatamu established the Rwamatamu Youth Cooperative, a program aimed at providing young adults with opportunities in coffee farming. Rwamatamu purchased three hectares of land for the Cooperative and supports its members with training, seedlings, and equipment. The youth cooperative offers young members a chance to learn about coffee farming, with plans to eventually purchase the land and build self-sufficiency. This cooperative currently involves 24 members and represents a growing interest in sustainable and community-driven coffee production.
Coffee Quality and Processing
Rwamatamu Coffee is dedicated to producing high-quality coffee. Their beans are fully washed using spring water and sun-dried, with careful handpicking to ensure only the best cherries are processed. The company’s commitment to quality extends to their processing methods, which have been refined through training and collaboration with industry experts.
In 2023, Rwamatamu invested in a cupping lab to enhance their quality control and improve their ability to assess the flavors of their coffee. This facility has allowed them to train their staff in cupping techniques and better understand the importance of processing methods in achieving high-quality coffee. Rwamatamu's focus on experimentation with new processing techniques, such as yeast fermentation, further underscores their dedication to excellence.
Collaboration and Innovation
Rwamatamu places a strong emphasis on collaboration and continuous improvement. In 2023, the company benefited from visits by several coffee professionals, who helped set up a new cupping lab, trained the team in cupping techniques, and explored new processing methods. These efforts have contributed to a significant improvement in both the quality and consistency of Rwamatamu's coffee.
Additionally, Rwamatamu has engaged in knowledge-sharing initiatives with other coffee producers, including collaborations with industry experts on experimental processing techniques, such as yeast fermentation, which aims to enhance the coffee’s natural flavor profile.
International Recognition and Achievements
In 2024, Rwamatamu Coffee gained international recognition at The Best of Rwanda coffee competition, where their washed lot secured third place out of 297 entries, with a cupping score of 90.71. This achievement highlights the company’s commitment to excellence in coffee production.
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