Origin - Rwanda

Region - Kigoma sector, Huye district

Process - Washed

Producer - Kigoma sector smallholders, Horizon washing station, Fidele Ndagijimana

Altitude - 1680-1950m

Variety - Red Bourbon

Tasting notes - Rhubarb, caramel, lavender

Horizon washing station is located in the southern part of Rwanda, in the Huye District. Here, the combination of high altitude and good rainfall allow for coffee trees to flourish and produce some of the highest quality coffees from the country. The station was built in 2006, but remained dormant for many years after the original owner failed to operate it. Fidele Ndagijimana purchased the washing station in 2018. Using his experience from managing washing stations in western Rwanda, he updated the equipment and implemented protocols that enabled it to produce high quality coffees. In addition, farmers receive organic fertiliser from the station consisting of recycled cherry pulp, which is fermented with lime and molasses to create effective microorganisms (EM).

All 1200 farmers working with Horizon are members of the Agribusiness Training Program (ATP) by Rwanda Trading Company (RTC)—a sister company of our importing partner, Falcon Coffees. With ATP’s focus on producing specialty coffees, all member farmers have seen increases in yield quality, which in turn has increased their household incomes. 

Since Fidele is not originally from the area, he had to win the support and trust of the locals. Fortunately, he was able to do so and the station has become a positive addition to the community in the work it provides for the local people. 94 people are employed by the station with 4 full-time. 70% of staff are women.