EXPORTS

Rwanda’s coffee exports are on the rise, says export development board

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

The nation is currently one of the lesser lights in African coffee exports, but the 2024/25 marketing season showed positive trends.

Rwanda’s coffee exports increased by almost 50% in the 2024/2025 marketing season, earning revenue of US$116–million. In addition, output rose 25% to 21,000 tonnes.

Image by Wahyu_T on Freepik

The Kigali-based newspaper, The New Times, reports that the figures were released by the country’s National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) at an event earlier in November. 

 

It quotes the CEO of the NAEB, Claude Bizimana, as saying that two factors drove the strong performance: the maturity of replanted coffee trees and a strong rally in global coffee prices. 

 

Under the Rwandan government’s Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation, the country wants to raise its coffee export volumes to 32,000 tonnes by 2028/2029. The plan emphasises improving productivity, modernising processing facilities, and expanding access to premium markets. 

 

Rwanda is sixth-largest African coffee exporter 

 

Rwanda ranks as Africa’s sixth-largest coffee exporter – behind Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire and Kenya.  

 

“While smaller than these major players, the Rwandan sector continues to benefit from favourable market conditions and targeted government support,” comments Agence Ecofin, an information agency specialising in public management and the African economy. 

 

For years, Ethiopia has been synonymous with African coffee. But the website Coffee Intelligence reports that, in a quiet but formidable shift, Uganda has seemingly taken the lead by exporting 7.17million bags worth $1.97-billion in the past year. 

 

Rwandan domestic consumption on the rise 

 

Rwanda’s coffee industry is also being boosted by an increase in domestic coffee consumption. 

 

According to the NAEB, there has been progress in Rwanda’s domestic coffee consumption, driven by changing consumer habits, government initiatives, and a growing appreciation for locally produced coffee. 

View all articles »
author avatar
Jason Lottering
See Full Bio
0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
    Continue Shopping

    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.