Furaha Umwizeye (Kivubelt Coffee)

Furaha Umwizeye, a Rwandan-born entrepreneur, founded Kivubelt Coffee in 2011 with a vision to create a coffee model that balances agricultural sustainability with deep social impact. Based in the Nyamasheke district of Western Rwanda, a region renowned for its exceptional coffee-growing terroir, Umwizeye developed an operation that serves as both a commercial enterprise and a vocational hub for the local community. Her leadership has been instrumental in professionalizing coffee production in the area, focusing on quality control and the empowerment of smallholder farmers who might otherwise lack access to international markets.

Kivubelt Coffee operates two primary washing stations, Murundo and Jarama, which serve as the backbone of the company’s processing infrastructure. These facilities do more than just process coffee from Kivubelt’s own estates; they act as a central collection and processing point for more than 500 smallholder farmers in the region. By consolidating these harvests, Kivubelt facilitates quality separation and provides the necessary infrastructure to ensure that small-scale production meets the rigorous standards required by specialty coffee buyers globally.

A central component of Umwizeye’s mission is the 'People’s Farm,' a collaborative project located near the village of Gihombo. This initiative represents a unique approach to coffee production, where Kivubelt works directly with small-scale farmers to improve agricultural outcomes. Because Rwandan coffee production is often measured by the number of trees a farmer manages rather than total land area, this collaborative model allows for shared resources, training, and the implementation of best practices that elevate the quality of the final cup for all participants.

The coffee produced under the Kivubelt umbrella is predominantly derived from Bourbon variety trees, which have a long history in Rwanda. Through the washing stations, the coffee undergoes meticulous sorting, fermentation, and drying processes. This commitment to quality has made Kivubelt a consistent partner for specialty roasters, with their lots frequently noted for flavor profiles that include tropical fruit, caramel, and chocolate, reflecting the high-altitude conditions of the Nyamasheke district.

Beyond the technical aspects of processing, Kivubelt functions as a vocational school for local farmers. During the harvest months, the company employs approximately 400 people, providing significant seasonal employment and training in agronomy and processing techniques. This educational focus is designed to help local families increase their yields and improve the quality of their coffee, thereby securing better premiums and fostering long-term economic stability within the rural community.

While Furaha Umwizeye has historically been the face of the organization, the day-to-day operations have evolved to include a dedicated local management team, such as Managing Director Claudine Kantengwa, who oversees the quality specialists and field operations. This structure ensures that the company remains deeply rooted in the Rwandan landscape even as it maintains international connections. The relationship between Kivubelt and its partners is characterized by a long-term commitment to direct trade, with many roasters having sourced coffee from the estate for over a decade.

Today, the story of Kivubelt Coffee stands as a testament to the potential of private enterprise to drive development in the coffee sector. By bridging the gap between smallholder farmers and the global specialty market, Umwizeye’s work has helped solidify Rwanda’s reputation as a source of some of the cleanest and most complex coffees in Africa. The model continues to serve as a blueprint for how investment in infrastructure and farmer education can create a sustainable, high-quality supply chain.