NAEB Strengthens International partnerships to advance Rwanda’s Coffee Sector
At the global coffee exhibition known as World of Coffee San Diego, currently taking place in California, United States of America, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), Claude Bizimana, held high-level discussions with Miguel Zamora, Coordinator of the Public-Private Task Force within the International Coffee Organization (ICO).
Their deliberations focused on the strategic role of the ICO in enhancing the livelihoods of coffee farmers and driving inclusive economic growth, particularly in developing countries such as Rwanda. Emphasis was also placed on how international cooperation can catalyze value addition, expand access to sustainable markets, and improve production systems aligned with stringent global quality standards.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, Claude Bizimana—in his capacity as Executive Chairman of the Inter-African Coffee Organization (IACO)—witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the International Coffee Organization (ICO) and the Inter-African Coffee Organization Coffee Support Group (IACOSG).
This agreement reinforces a longstanding institutional partnership and establishes a structured framework for coordinated action aimed at strengthening Africa’s coffee sector.
Key priority areas outlined in the MoU include:
Enhancing data collection systems and advancing analytical capacity to support evidence-based policymaking and sector planning.
Supporting coffee-exporting countries in complying with evolving international regulatory frameworks, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which seeks to curb global deforestation linked to agricultural supply chains.
Promoting research and innovation in climate-resilient coffee production systems to address the impacts of climate variability and change.
Building technical capacity across the entire coffee value chain from smallholder farmers to exporters to ensure competitiveness in the global marketplace.
The exhibition continues to underscore coffee’s pivotal role as a high-value commodity in driving economic transformation across African economies, particularly in improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
For Rwanda, participation in such high-level international platforms is instrumental in elevating the global profile of its specialty coffee, unlocking new market opportunities, and deepening strategic partnerships. These efforts are expected to contribute significantly to value chain upgrading and the broader agenda of sustainable, export-led agricultural development.
