Origin

Karongi District, Western Province, Rwanda

The Western Province of Rwanda, particularly regions like Karongi where the Gitesi Washing Station is located, has a rich history of coffee cultivation that reflects the country's broader agricultural and socio-economic journey. Coffee was introduced to Rwanda by German missionaries in the early 1900s, but it wasn't until the 1930s, under Belgian colonial rule, that coffee production was widely enforced. The colonial government mandated coffee as a cash crop, often through coercive systems, leading to resentment among farmers who had little control over pricing or marketing. Despite these challenges, coffee became a vital part of Rwanda's rural economy.

Following independence in 1962, coffee remained Rwanda's primary export crop, with farmers predominantly growing Bourbon Arabica. This high-quality variety thrives in Rwanda's fertile volcanic soils, high altitudes (1,400–2,000+ metres), and equatorial climate. However, the sector faced setbacks due to state mismanagement and price instability during the 1980s and early 1990s, leading many farmers to neglect or uproot their coffee trees. The devastation of the 1994 genocide further halted production and left farming communities in disarray.

Recovery began in the early 2000s with reforms aimed at improving quality and empowering smallholder farmers. The Rwandan government, supported by international NGOs and buyers, invested in building washing stations, enhancing agricultural services, and facilitating direct trade relationships. This transformation was pivotal for the Western Province, where high elevations and ideal microclimates allowed producers to focus on specialty-grade, fully washed coffees. Washing stations like Gitesi, established post-reform, played a crucial role by providing farmers with centralised processing facilities, training, and access to international markets.

Today, coffee from the Western Province, especially from Karongi and neighbouring districts like Nyamasheke and Rutsiro, is celebrated for its complex flavour profiles, bright acidity, and floral or stone fruit notes. These qualities, attributed to the Bourbon varietal and meticulous washed processing, have solidified the region's reputation in the specialty coffee world, showcasing coffee's potential as both an economic driver and a catalyst for community rebuilding and resilience.