Historical Perspectives
Cyesha Coffee Ltd. is a private company registered with the Rwanda Development Board (Reg No 107639539), established in 2018, dedicated to the production of high-quality specialty coffee and the promotion of sustainable development. Cyesha Coffee Ltd. operates two coffee washing stations that process coffee cherries into specialty coffee.
The company evolved from Gerard Trading Company, which was founded in 2015. Gerard Trading Company previously purchased coffee cherries, processed them at the Mugeyo Coffee Washing Station, and sold fully washed coffee to national and international markets.
Over approximately three years, there was observation of significant competition for limited coffee cherries in Mugeyo Coffee Washing Station zone and the low productivity of aging coffee trees. Moreover, there was recognition that substantial efforts (both mental and physical) invested by coffee farmers often disproportionately low returns. This led to the establishment of Cyesha Coffee Ltd., with the core mission of becoming a leading coffee production hub, committed to producing the highest quality coffee, and supporting local community and Rwanda in achieving its sustainable development goals. To this end, Cyesha Coffee Ltd. began by cultivating 93,000 coffee trees, with the aim of providing local coffee farmers with access to training and support in best practices for high-quality coffee cultivation.
Cyesha Coffee was founded by Mr. Gerard Nkunzurwanda and, Janvier Nzayikorera, whose family has deep roots in coffee farming. The company is driven by a passion for exceptional coffee and a strong commitment to community empowerment, environmental stewardship, enhanced productivity, and minimizing negative environmental impact.
Our Vision
The vision of Cyesha Coffee Ltd is to be a leading coffee production hub, recognized for its high-quality coffee, and a significant contributor to Rwanda’s sustainable development goals and Vision 2050.
Mission and Objectives
Cyesha Coffee Ltd’s mission is to lead the agricultural sector towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly future. We aim to achieve this by integrating advanced technology and smart agriculture techniques to enhance productivity, reduce negative environmental impacts, and contribute to Rwanda’s efforts in combating abnormal climate change. Furthermore, we prioritize capacity building within the local community, empowering farmers with the knowledge and tools essential for their success.
Specifically, Cyesha Coffee Ltd has established the following objectives in order to achieve its vision:
1. To produce high-quality coffee to meet customer and global market needs.
2. To create employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
3. To reduce agricultural costs through efficient practices.
4. To enhance Rwanda’s reputation for eco-friendly agriculture.
5. To develop environmentally sound and technologically advanced solutions from raw materials
Motivational Statement
Worldwide all nations continue to accelerate efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. It is anticipated that all people should actively work hard in order to support their countries to achieve SDGs. The actors of Cyesha Coffee Ltd recognize the vital role of individual and collective participation in achieving the SDGs by bring innovation and bringing the new paradigm of doing numerous actions ethical and effectively. Having long been active in the coffee sector, the founders of Cyesha Coffee Ltd have witnessed firsthand how abnormal climate change hinders coffee farmers’ ability to overcome poverty and other challenges. As previous stated the vision of Cyesha Coffee Ltd is to be an excellent coffee production hub primarily focused on producing the highest quality coffee while supporting the community and the country in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and Rwanda Vision 2050. To align with this vision, the actors of Cyesha Coffee Ltd continuously addresses the following key questions:
1. What are the best options for coffee farmers to achieve optimal health and prosperity?
2. What are the most effective strategies to support coffee producers in yielding adequate quantities of high-quality coffee?
3. What short- and long-term strategies can be adopted to adapt to abnormal climate change in the coffee sector?
4. What best practices should coffee farmers adopt to achieve the SDGs?
The leadership at Cyesha Coffee Ltd firmly believes that answers to these questions must be derived from and supported by evidence from well-structured scientific studies and proper philosophical thinking about doing numerous actions. Therefore, we are deeply inspired by research activities and committed to active collaboration with partners.
Our primary focus area is climate adaptation strategies and inaugurate numerous initiatives who’s potential to support the Work become a better place to live for all. As coffee is the most precious beverage worldwide, we dedicate sufficient effort to overcoming any threat such as abnormal climate change that may hinder the existence of coffee.
Core Values
1. Sustainability: Commitment to environmentally sustainable practices.
2. Innovation: Embracing technological advancements for agricultural improvement.
3. Community Empowerment: Fostering capacity building and empowerment within the local community.
4. Environmental Stewardship: Dedication to minimizing carbon footprint and contributing to a greener future.
5. Quality: Ensuring high-quality agricultural products through rigorous standards and processes.
Key strengths
We at Cyesha Coffee Ltd, operating from Rwanda’s Nyamasheke District near Lake Kivu, we are a notable player in the specialty coffee market, particularly through our coffee washing and plantations.
Key strengths of Cyesha Coffee Ltd:
1. Exceptional Terroir and Bean Quality:
o High Altitude: Located at altitudes up to 1800 meters above sea level, which is ideal for growing high-quality Arabica coffee.
o Volcanic Soil: The region boasts nutrient-rich volcanic soil, contributing to distinct flavor profiles.
o Unique Microclimate: Proximity to Lake Kivu and the associated wind flow creates optimal conditions for coffee cultivation and drying.
o Red Bourbon Variety: Cyesha focuses on the Red Bourbon variety, highly prized for its rich flavor and aroma, a hallmark of Rwandan coffee.
o Awards/Recognition: Cyesha coffee has been selected to represent Rwanda’s top coffee samples at important auctions, indicating high quality.
2. Commitment to Quality Processing:
o Meticulous Selection: Only fully ripe cherries are selected and undergo rigorous sorting (hand-sorting, floating) upon arrival at the washing station.
o Advanced Processing Methods: Cyesha utilizes washed, natural, and honey processing methods, with a notable history of being among the first in Rwanda to be authorized to produce natural and honey coffees. This shows innovation and versatility.
o Controlled Drying: Cherries are carefully laid out on African drying beds, turned frequently, and dried over extended periods (43-50 days for natural processes), indicating a focus on enhancing sweetness and fruity notes.
o Modern Infrastructure: The washing station are fully modernized including a pilot water treatment and composting system. This demonstrates a commitment to both quality and environmental responsibility.
3. Strong Farmer Partnerships and Community Impact:
o Collaboration with Smallholder Farmers: Cyesha works closely with a significant number of local smallholder farmers (287-470 farmers).
o Farmer Support: The company provides agricultural extension services and high quality seedlings (e.g., RAB-C15 varietal, resistant to coffee rust) to help farmers improve yields and quality.
o Local Employment: Company provides much-needed employment in rural areas.
o Sustainability Initiatives: The composting system that turns coffee pulp into organic manure distributed to farmer families highlights a strong commitment to sustainable practices and direct community benefit.
4. Brand Recognition and Market Position:
o Cyesha coffee is frequently featured by specialty roasters in Europe and the US, indicating a strong reputation within the high-value specialty coffee segment.
o Our focus on unique flavor profiles (lemon tea, green grape, tropical, papaya, chocolate fondant, raspberry, tangerine) appeals to a discerning customer base willing to pay a premium.
People Behind Our Coffee
The success and quality of Cyesha Coffee Ltd. are rooted in its people. From the strategic core team to the vital seasonal workers and the extensive network of partner growers, the company’s workforce is a multi-layered community dedicated to producing exceptional specialty coffee. By championing and sharing advanced, sustainable farming methods, Cyesha Coffee Ltd. invests directly in the prosperity and skill development of its partners, ensuring that the entire community benefits from the high-quality coffee we produce together. This human-centric approach is the driving force behind the company’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and community empowerment.
Core Team
Permanent Staff: At the heart of Cyesha Coffee Ltd.’s year-round operations is a dedicated core team of six permanent employees. This skilled group forms the strategic backbone of the company, responsible for:
• Management and Administration: Overseeing daily operations, logistics, and export processes. The primary promoters of Cyesha Coffee Ltd are its founders, Gerard Nkunzurwanda and Janvier Nzayikorera
• Agronomy and Quality Control: Managing the 75-hectare plantation and two washing stations to ensure the highest standards are met.
• Partner Training: Leading the initiative to share sustainable farming methods with the broader grower community.
Seasonal Team
Powering the Harvest and other activities of the farm: Reflecting the cyclical nature of coffee production, Cyesha Coffee Ltd. expands its workforce with a seasonal team ranging from 50 to 150 individuals. This vital group is the engine of the harvest season, takin care of coffee etc. Their meticulous work in hand-picking ripe coffee cherries and managing the intensive processing activities at the washing stations is crucial for achieving the final quality in every cup. This seasonal employment provides an essential source of income and economic opportunity for many families in the local community.
Community Partners
The Grower Network: Beyond its direct employees, Cyesha Coffee Ltd.’s operational model is deeply intertwined with its network of 278 local partner growers. This relationship is a true partnership, built on mutual growth and shared success.
• Inclusivity and Empowerment: The company is proud that this network is built on a foundation of inclusivity. With 172 women comprising the majority of these farmers, Cyesha Coffee Ltd. actively contributes to gender empowerment and financial independence within the community.
• Investing in the Future: The partnership also includes a new generation of youth farmers, ensuring that valuable agricultural knowledge is passed down and that the future of specialty coffee in the region remains bright and sustainable.
Location
Cyesha Coffee Ltd has relocated its operations from Kanjongo Sector to Macuba Sector, Nyamasheke District. Its 75-hectare of coffee plantations are situated at an ideal altitude of 1890 meters, within the renowned Kivu Belt coffee-growing zone and in close proximity to Nyungwe National Park. Figure 1: Shows one of an exemplary coffee plantations of Cyesha Coffee Ltd. This location provides optimal conditions for producing superior coffee, including:
• High altitude, ensuring slow maturation of coffee cherries and complex flavor development.
• Volcanic soil, rich in nutrients, providing ideal conditions for coffee cultivation.
• Abundant rainfall, essential for healthy coffee tree growth and development.
The strategic move was driven by the closer proximity to raw material resources, infrastructural suitability, and easy availability of land in Macuba Sector. Moreover, the new location offers enhanced convenience for Cyesha Coffee Ltd’s activities due to its proximity to tarmacked roads and sufficient electricity, water, and phone network coverage and sufficient workforce which are essential for its efficient operations.
