Of the 10 coffee samples submitted by Rwanda, six received awards, including three Platinum Awards for samples scoring 90 per cent and above, and three Gold Awards for those scoring between 80 and 89 per cent.
The awards were presented during the ASEAN International Coffee Summit 2026 in Singapore, where coffee producers from different parts of the world showcased their products and connected with potential buyers and industry stakeholders.
Rwanda’s performance reflects continued efforts to improve coffee quality across the value chain, from production and harvesting to processing, traceability and export readiness.
According to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), investments in quality improvement, better processing practices, farmer capacity development and stronger quality assurance systems are helping strengthen the competitiveness of Rwandan coffee and create opportunities for greater value recognition.
NAEB Chief Executive Officer Claude Bizimana said the international recognition reflects the commitment of Rwanda’s coffee stakeholders to producing coffee that can compete in demanding specialty markets.
“Recognition at an international platform such as the ASEAN Coffee Excellence Awards demonstrates the quality and potential of Rwanda coffee. It reflects the dedication of our farmers, cooperatives, processors and exporters, and reinforces our commitment to continuously improving quality, strengthening traceability and positioning Rwanda as a competitive specialty coffee origin,” Claude said.
For coffee farmers and cooperatives, the recognition provides motivation to maintain quality standards, expand production and explore opportunities in international markets.
Aimable Nshimiye, Manager of Abateraninkunga ba Sholi Cooperative in Muhanga District, whose coffee received a Platinum Award, said the achievement would encourage the cooperative to continue improving quality while expanding its activities and market reach.
“This recognition gives us renewed motivation to continue producing high-quality coffee and strengthen our efforts to expand the cooperative’s activities. It also creates opportunities to increase our international market presence and visibility, ultimately benefiting our farmers through improved opportunities and the development of our cooperative,” Aimable remarked.
Beyond the awards, the recognition offers an opportunity to increase the visibility of Rwandan coffee among international buyers, traders, roasters and other industry players, particularly in Asian markets.
Rwanda’s participation in the competition also coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NAEB and the Singapore Coffee Association. The agreement provides a framework for closer cooperation between the coffee industries of the two countries and aims to promote Rwandan coffee in Singapore and the wider ASEAN market.
The partnership is expected to support market diversification, strengthen commercial connections and create additional opportunities for Rwandan coffee exporters.
The recognition comes as Rwanda pursues ambitious targets under its Coffee Sector Development Strategy for 2024–2029, which aims to increase annual coffee export revenues to $192 million by 2029.
According to NAEB, Rwanda generated $139.3 million from exporting 23,000 tonnes of coffee during the 2025/26 fiscal year, representing a 20 per cent increase in revenue and a 9.5 per cent rise in export volume compared with the slightly over $116 million earned from approximately 21,000 tonnes in 2024/25.
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