RWANDA GITWE

Gitwe is one of the smallest yet most highly regarded washing stations in Rwanda’s Western Province. Covering less than one hectare, the station sits high in a mountain valley at close to 2,000 metres above sea level, near Kamina in the Karambi sector. The station was built in 2016 and acquired by Rwanda Trading Company in 2018.

Despite its size, Gitwe receives cherries from approximately 1,020 smallholder farmers, producing around 500 tonnes of cherry annually — all specialty-grade. Farm sizes range from as few as 150 coffee trees to around 2.5 hectares. Many farms lie several kilometres from the station, so RTC operates 15 cherry collection points to support elderly and less mobile farmers.

Station manager Augustin moved from Kigali to Gitwe in 2018 in search of a healthier lifestyle and now lives near the station year-round. For many roasters, the arrival of fresh Gitwe crop each season is eagerly anticipated — a reliable expression of Rwanda’s finest washed coffees.

Fully washed process:

• Hand-picked ripe Red Bourbon cherries
• Careful pulping and fermentation
• Thorough washing for clarity
• Slow drying to preserve acidity and mouthfeel

The result is a clean, tea-like cup with layered acidity and refined sweetness.

Gitwe is part of the Rwanda Trading Company (RTC) network, which focuses on farmer training, quality improvement and long-term sustainability. Despite its small physical footprint, the station supports over a thousand smallholder farmers through structured training programmes, cherry collection points, and quality incentives. A strong emphasis is placed on accessibility, particularly for elderly farmers, helping ensure inclusivity across the supply chain.