Akagera Natural Rwanda

This coffee comes from the Kabare Sector in Northeastern Rwanda, also known as the Akagera region. As one of Rwanda’s five main coffee-growing regions, Akagera is known for its temperate climate, relatively low rainfall, fertile soils, and elevations ranging above 1500 meters. Because of these favorable conditions, most local farmers grow coffee and tea. The majority of coffee farms are located near Akagera National Park, Central Africa’s largest protected wetland and the last remaining savannah ecosystem in Rwanda.

More than 95% of the coffee grown in this region is Bourbon variety. Due to its relatively lower altitude compared to other Rwandan coffee regions, Akagera coffees have slightly lower acidity, yet still present a sweet profile with fruity, spicy, and strong floral notes.

The Akagera Coffee Project (ACP) was founded in 2016 by Egide Murindababisha as a Social Specialty Enterprise. Based in the Kayonza District, ACP is dedicated to producing high-quality coffees while also supporting social development. ACP works with around 1,150 smallholder farmers, most of whom cultivate 1-2 hectare family farms at elevations ranging from 1450 to 2400 meters. Cocamu Cooperative is one of these producers, with over 600 members, nearly half of whom are women.

The majority of production consists of BM 139 – Bourbon Mayaguez, known for its excellent cup quality and high productivity. Additionally, the more disease-resistant RAB C15 variety has recently been introduced. The harvested cherries are processed at the Akagera or Mukama Washing Stations, ensuring consistent and high-quality processing standards.

The Akagera Coffee Project has a strong social and economic impact on the local community:

• Creating employment opportunities for youth and women
• Increasing farmers’ income
• Distributing over 100,000 new coffee seedlings annually to support farm productivity and expansion
• Supporting social and economic development through community projects

Akagera coffee stands out not only for its unique flavor but also for its contribution to improving the lives of the local farming communities.