Dukunde Kawa Musasa: 25 Years of Rwandan Coffee Ascendancy

Dukunde Kawa Musasa Cooperative Marks 25 Years of Growth and Community Transformation

Nestled in the rolling hills of the Ruli Sector in Rwanda’s Gakenke District, the Dukunde Kawa Musasa Cooperative is celebrating a significant milestone: 25 years of operations. This anniversary is more than just a date; it represents a powerful narrative of resilience, substantial growth, and profound community transformation within Rwanda’s burgeoning coffee industry. What began as a small initiative by farmers seeking to escape the exploitation of middlemen has blossomed into one of the nation’s most respected coffee exporting entities.

A Celebration of Impact and Recognition

The cooperative’s anniversary event, held at its headquarters on March 25th, served as a dual celebration of its achievements and its ongoing commitment to its members and the wider community. The day’s festivities were marked by tangible contributions to the farmers’ well-being and future development.

• Livestock Support: Twenty-five cows were distributed to farmers as part of the cooperative’s ongoing livestock support programme. This initiative, which commenced in 2008, has now seen over 400 cows distributed, significantly enhancing organic farming practices and providing additional income streams for member households.
• Financial Returns: Members received their well-deserved dividends and premiums, a direct reflection of the cooperative’s success and fair distribution of profits.
• Skills Development: The Musasa Coffee School celebrated the graduation of 21 students, underscoring the cooperative’s dedication to investing in the skills and future of its younger generation.
• Partner Recognition: The event also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the crucial support of key partners who have been instrumental in the cooperative’s journey. Special recognition was given to Root Capital, a U.S.-based financial institution that has been a vital funding partner since 2005, making Dukunde Kawa Musasa its first client in Africa. Other honoured partners included Starbucks FSC/RWANDA, Rabobank, RWASHOSCO Ltd, Progresso, REDI, Thanksgiving, ACDI/VOCA, USADF, MCM, BDF, Women Win, Fairtrade, and SGR. The Ministry of Defence was also presented with a trophy for its long-standing and impactful support. Additionally, former Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) staff, such as Col (Rtd) Eugene Haguma and Jérôme Mureramanzi, were recognised for their invaluable contributions during the cooperative’s formative years.

Growth Driven by Quality and Farmer Empowerment

The foundational mission of the Dukunde Kawa Musasa Cooperative was to ensure that its members received fair prices for their hard work. Today, with 1,193 members, this vision has been realized through a steadfast commitment to quality and the empowerment of its farmers.

Virginie Uwingeneye, the cooperative’s president, highlighted the significant infrastructure developments that have propelled their growth. “Today, we celebrate milestones including the establishment of a roasting plant, a cupping laboratory, a dry mill, and four coffee washing stations,” she stated. These investments have enabled the cooperative to export approximately 15 containers, or roughly 290 tonnes, of high-grade speciality green coffee annually.

Uwingeneye fondly recalled the challenging early days when farmers, despite investing heavily in production, were forced to sell their coffee at meagre prices to intermediaries. This exploitation was the catalyst for the cooperative’s formation. She attributed their progress to an unwavering focus on quality at every stage of the value chain, from meticulous seed selection to careful harvesting, complemented by the widespread use of organic fertilisers. These practices, along with initiatives like livestock support and milk collection, have not only strengthened organic farming but also directly boosted household incomes.

Navigating Setbacks and Charting a Recovery Path

The journey of Dukunde Kawa Musasa has not been without its hurdles. Between 2008-2011 and again in 2019, the cooperative experienced significant financial losses, amounting to approximately Rwf90 million, largely attributed to leadership challenges. These crises led to a decline in membership. However, through the timely intervention and restructuring efforts by the Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA), stability was restored, and the cooperative was set back on a path of recovery and renewed growth.

Looking ahead, Uwingeneye acknowledged ongoing challenges that require continued attention and investment. These include the persistent issue of poor road infrastructure, which hampers efficient transportation, and the presence of ageing coffee trees, which can impact yield and quality. Addressing these areas is crucial for sustaining the cooperative’s growth trajectory.

The Founding Vision and Early Support

Anastase Minani, a founding member and the cooperative’s first president, reflected on its modest beginnings with just 300 farmers united by a desire for better economic returns. He emphasized the critical role played by the Ministry of Defence in the cooperative’s nascent stages. Their support was multifaceted, ranging from assistance in constructing the first coffee washing station at Ruli and processing facilities to facilitating invaluable exposure visits to successful coffee models like Maraba Coffee. Furthermore, the Ministry aided in securing financing through Zigama CSS, providing support that extended far beyond initial expectations. Minani affirmed that over the years, the cooperative has demonstrably improved the livelihoods of its members, enabling them to increase production and ensure their children receive higher education, even up to university level.

A Sector Perspective on Cooperative Strength

Sandrine Urujeni, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), lauded the cooperative’s remarkable resilience and evolution. She noted that its growth from a single washing station into a more integrated and sophisticated operation is a testament to strong collaboration and unwavering commitment. Urujeni highlighted the cooperative’s significant contributions to increasing farmer incomes, fostering women’s involvement in the specialty coffee sector, and supporting vital community initiatives, such as early childhood development centres.

She also provided context for the broader Rwandan coffee sector, noting that while only 14 per cent of farmers currently belong to cooperatives, NAEB actively encourages greater participation. Cooperatives, she explained, offer invaluable benefits through shared knowledge and enhanced market access. Urujeni also detailed ongoing efforts under the Fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture (PSTA 5), which extends to 2029. This plan aims to address critical challenges like climate change and the aging of coffee trees through initiatives such as the distribution of improved coffee seedlings.

Partners Applaud Impact and Urge Continuity

Lieutenant Colonel Alexandre Karasira, representing the Ministry of Defence, expressed the institution’s pride and encouragement regarding the cooperative’s sustained growth and its tangible impact on the community. “We are grateful that the cooperative has effectively utilized the support to empower the community through initiatives such as interest-free microloans, cow deliveries, milk collection for farmers, and the establishment of ECD centres,” he stated. “We encourage you to continue this good work, as there is still more to be achieved.”

Local Development and Future Aspirations

In Gakenke District, the Dukunde Kawa Musasa Cooperative is recognized as a pivotal engine of local development. Aimé François Niyonsenga, the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, proudly stated, “We are proud of Dukunde Kawa Musasa Cooperative, whose 25 years of work have empowered members and the community. Its MUSASA Coffee has strengthened the district’s brand, and its initiatives—from supporting families and women to contributing to infrastructure—have also boosted our Imihigo performance.”

Looking towards the future, the district has ambitious plans to revitalize the coffee sector. These include replacing approximately one million ageing coffee trees and expanding coffee cultivation by at least 300 hectares under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2). Furthermore, infrastructure development remains a priority, with the Giticyinyoni–Muhondo–Ruli–Gakenke road slated for consideration in the 2026/2027 fiscal year. This crucial infrastructure upgrade is anticipated to significantly ease transportation challenges, further unlocking the cooperative’s potential for growth and prosperity in its next phase.