For decades, Rwandan women have been at the forefront of coffee cultivation, driving quality and innovation while overcoming immense challenges.
To bring our Rwandan Women’s Coffee campaign to life, we collaborated with Denyse Uwera, a Kigali-based creator and storyteller.
Denyse traveled to the Sovu washing station in Rwanda’s Southern Province, meeting with producers who have been instrumental in the industry’s recovery and growth – Libérée Mukahigiro, Marie Gorette Mukeshimana, and Seraphine Mukashyaka – who shared their journeys, the impact of coffee on their lives, and their hopes for the future.
Building a legacy through coffee
Libérée Mukahigiro has been growing coffee since 1989. "At that time, we used traditional methods to process coffee and sold it to local buyers for low prices," she recalls. But in 2002, everything changed when she and seventy others formed the Abahuzamugambi ba Kawa Maraba cooperative.
"Now, many things have improved, especially prices, and the cooperative provides training and support."
Marie Gorette Mukeshimana took a different path, starting her coffee journey in 2018. "I began by renting a coffee farm, and when I saw the potential, I invested in my own land. Now, I have 1,850 coffee trees," she shares. Through her earnings, she has built a home and provides for her family. "Coffee has significantly contributed to my welfare. It allows me to invest in other areas, like livestock and rental properties."
Seraphine Mukashyaka, a farmer since 1979, has witnessed the evolution of Rwandan coffee firsthand. “I joined the Maraba cooperative when it started, and it has helped improve our farming practices and our well-being," she says. She now balances coffee farming with her passion for traditional Rwandan weaving, a craft that provides an additional source of income.
Strength in community and cooperation
Women make up nearly half of the Maraba cooperative’s membership, and their contributions are invaluable. "Our coffee is marketed separately as 'women’s coffee,' which attracts premium prices," explains Libérée. "This has encouraged men to support women in growing more coffee, as they see the impact we are making."
Beyond coffee, these women form savings groups, borrow funds to reinvest in their farms, and engage in other agricultural and craft-based work to diversify their incomes.
"We support each other," says Seraphine. "In our group, we help fellow women in need and borrow money to improve our coffee farms."
Adapting to challenges and looking ahead
Despite their successes, these farmers face significant hurdles, particularly when it comes to climate change. "There’s more heat and more coffee diseases than before," says Libérée. "We rely on agronomists’ advice and cooperative support to adapt."
Marie Gorette sees her future in coffee:
"My plan is simple: to never go backward, only forward."
With ongoing support, better prices, and continued investment, she and others are committed to strengthening the industry for future generations.
A message to coffee drinkers
Each of these women has a direct message for those who enjoy their coffee. "We put a lot of energy into growing this coffee," says Marie Gorette. "I hope you can reenergise us by providing good prices and buying more coffee from us."
Libérée echoes this sentiment. "We appreciate your support and love. If our coffee tastes good to you, please continue to support us – and even increase the price!"
Through resilience, innovation, and community, these women are shaping the future of Rwandan coffee. Their stories remind us that behind every cup is a world of dedication and perseverance.
