Back in 2000, the cooperative began with 300 coffee farmers practicing traditional farming methods, earning little from their produce, which they sold to middlemen.
Recognizing the need for change, they came together to form an association, which later gained legal status as a cooperative in 2004. This shift enabled them to adopt professional farming practices and expand their market reach, eventually exporting their coffee internationally.
During the 25th anniversary celebration held on March 25, 2026, members revealed that the cooperative now owns four coffee washing stations. Today, it has 1,193 members, including 326 women and 17 youth, while also working with 4,600 coffee farmers. This marks a significant rise from the 300 members recorded in 2004.
To commemorate the milestone, each cooperative member received a bonus of Rwf 10,000, along with fertilizers and roasted coffee. The cooperative also distributed 25 dairy cows to support milk production, as it operates a milk collection center.
Additionally, certificates were awarded to 21 students who completed their studies at the Musasa Coffee School.
Athanase Minani, one of the founding members and former leaders of the cooperative, shared that the journey has not been easy.
“Before we united, we were ordinary farmers selling to middlemen who paid us unfairly compared to the effort we put in.[…] Over time, the results became evident, and today we have made great progress,” he said.
Minani added that he now owns 3,000 coffee trees and sold five tons of coffee last year. Through coffee farming, all eight of his children have completed university education, with the youngest graduating recently from Butare. However, he noted a growing challenge in motivating young people to take up coffee farming.
The cooperative’s current president, Virginie Uwingeneye, emphasized that the 25-year journey reflects resilience and steady growth. She noted that the cooperative has distributed 25 cows this year, bringing the total to 350 cows provided since 2008 under its livestock-sharing program.
“We provide cows to boost milk production because we also operate a milk collection center with a capacity of 5,000 liters per day. Of the 25 cows distributed today, 20 were purchased while five were bred within the program,” she explained.
Over the years, the cooperative has built a strong economic base driven by coffee trade and job creation. From exporting a single container worth Rwf 40 million in 2004, it now exports up to 15 containers of parchment coffee—equivalent to nearly 288 tons—generating at least Rwf 3.5 billion annually.
The cooperative provides employment to over 500 people during the coffee season, including 55 permanent staff, and manages the entire coffee value chain from cultivation to cup.
Sandrine Urujeni, Chief Operations Officer at NAEB, who attended the event, praised the cooperative for its integrity and achievements.
“Celebrating 25 years of Dukunde Kawa Musasa Cooperative is a remarkable milestone that reflects dedication and resilience in advancing coffee farming in Rwanda. The cooperative has become a model of excellence, making significant strides in both production and value addition,” she said.
Over the years, the cooperative has also invested in infrastructure and social initiatives, including a dry mill, a coffee roasting plant, a cupping laboratory for quality control, a milk processing facility, and an early childhood development center.
It also supports farmers through interest-free loans, promotes gender equality through women-focused coffee initiatives, and runs vocational training programs for women and youth.
Musasa Coffee, produced by the cooperative, is known for its organic quality and exceptional taste.
On this anniversary, the cooperative expressed gratitude to its partners, including Root Capital, its first African client since 2005, as well as Starbucks FSC Rwanda, Rabobank, RWASHOSCO Ltd, Progresso, REDI, Thanksgiving, ACDI/VOCA, USADF, MCM, BDF, Women Win, Fairtrade, and SGR for their continued support.
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