Rwanda and Japan partner to strengthen Rwanda’s Coffee value chain

Inspirer staff.

National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) held a one-day seminar bringing together various players across the coffee value chain to discuss opportunities to enable them to strengthen existing markets and advance initiatives that lead to new market deals and strengthening of the ‘Rwanda Coffee Stakeholders Platform.’

The seminar which took place today at the Kigali Marriot Hotel was facilitated by CUP Rwanda and was attended by His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, Mr. Miyashita Takayuki and the CEO of NAEB Ambassador George William Kayonga.

CUP Rwanda is a project being implemented jointly by NAEB and JICA with the purpose of upgrading and promoting coffee in Rwanda through strengthening the coffee value chain. Through Cup Rwanda project, it has been realized that the Rwandan coffee producers and exporters have a key to international coffee markets through producing the best of African coffees but have not yet accessed the best supply chain improvements and market opportunities. The seminar was held to help them devise ways to increase production, quality, processing, exports, and linkages to new markets.

Various players in the coffee sector such as Farmers, Processors, Logistic providers, Exporters, Retailers, Café & Restaurant Owners as well as Importers from Japan are attended the event to exchange information, share opinions and suggestions from their diverse experience. The seminar is expected to help Rwandan coffee stakeholders to link up with potential buyers, understand their market requirements thus to promote value addition standards in the coffee industry being sought.

“This is a critical workshop today. While we are already exporting to Japan and elsewhere in Asia, we have a lot of work ahead of us to gain and maintain critical markets like Japan. NAEB and JICA are working together across the value chain to create a higher quality and consistent product in the face of low global commodity prices.” said NAEB CEO Amb. Bill Kayonga.

This seminar follows on from the 15th edition of Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ)’s World Specialty Coffee Conference and Exhibition which leading Rwandan exporters attended. It is a critical part of NAEB and JICA’s strategy to showcase and sell the best of Rwandan coffee, proudly grown by small artisan producers in the beautiful hills of Rwanda. The platform is expected to expand Rwandan coffee presence in the Asian specialty coffee market