Rwanda Red Bourbon Fully Washed

Region & Growing Conditions

Nyamagabe District, situated in Rwanda’s Southern Province (formerly part of Gikongoro Province), covers roughly 1,090 km² and includes terrain ranging from 1,700 to 2,100 meters elevation—ideal for specialty coffee cultivation. Its proximity to Nyungwe Forest brings diverse flora, volcanic soils, and a cooler climate conducive to slow ripening arabica cherries with complex flavor development.

Farmers & Varietals

Coffee in Nyamagabe is produced predominantly by smallholder farmers, typically cultivating under 0.25 hectare (300–600 trees) per farm. Farms are often intercropped with food staples like maize, beans, or livestock used both for income and compost nourishment. The prevalent varietal is Red Bourbon arabica, accounting for over 90% of regional production due to its flavour potential and suitability to high-altitude conditions.

Gaseke Washing Station

Gaseke Washing station is located in the Kizi Rift coffee growing region, specifically in the Nyamagabe district. Its privileged geographical location and the favourable climate of the area create optimal conditions for the cultivation of high quality coffee, which guarantees the production of green coffee beans with unique characteristics, reflecting the richness of the region.

This station acts as a meeting point for more than 500 local coffee growers, promoting community collaboration and strengthening the socio-economic fabric of the area. Gaseke not only evidences the relevance of the regional geography in coffee production, but also the commitment of its community to excellence in coffee quality.

Built in 1983, the Washing station was expanded and modernised in 2016, upgrading its facilities to optimise the processing of cherries delivered by coffee growers.

Impact & Social Dimensions

Coffee production in Nyamagabe has been pivotal in post genocide recovery. Women-led enterprises—such as the Nyamurinda initiative founded by sisters Francine and Immaculée Mukamana—use coffee as a vehicle for empowerment and community resilience, turning personal trauma into sustainable livelihoods. At Remera, profits are shared directly with local farmers and managers, reinforcing cooperative governance and fair compensation.