So this year we've done it a bit different with Emma at Baho. After 5 years of trade he knows what we like, and the quality markers that need to be nailed to ensure ongoing trade... the only thing changing is the price. With the c-market skyrocketing, we put our heads together to find a way of mitigating the rise for our clients, while still adding value to the supply chain in Rwanda. What we came up with was just trust really... Emma was like "let me put the lots together as I see fit, you'll be happy". So yeah, this is a blended lot small screen sized beans from 2 of Emma's Western stations, processed as an anaerobic natural to boost the cup score to 86+. It's a fucking score for our list, actually tasting better than the single station Fugi anaerobic lot we had before.
Akagera CWS
Akagera is one of Baho’s newest stations, taken over by Emmanuel at the start of 2020. Situated in Nyamasheke District between Lake Kivu and Nyungwe Forest, it’s a small but high-potential site, with around 460 farmers contributing just under 400 bags a year. Akagera sits close to Ngoma and shares many of the same hill and island communities. Originally built and run by the Kobakanya Cooperative, the station struggled to maintain operations and secure consistent markets. Baho stepped in to take over management, offering stable prices, reliable market access, and organisational support. Today, the cooperative remains active, and Akagera has become a secure, quality-focused home for their coffee under Baho’s guidance.
Ngoma CWS
Ngoma Coffee Washing Station sits on the shores of Lake Kivu in the lush hills of Nyamasheke District, Western Rwanda — a terroir shaped by volcanic soil, steady elevation, and gentle lake breezes that help ensure slow, even drying for the beans. Since Baho acquired the station in late 2019, around 780 smallholder farmers have delivered cherries to Ngoma, producing roughly 575 bags (≈ 1.5 containers) of export-grade green coffee per season. Though modest in size, Ngoma consistently punches above its weight in cup quality, offering distinct, bright yet full-bodied coffees that reflect the region's unique geography and climate. As a “sister station” to Akagera Coffee Washing Station, it shares many of the same delivering hill and island communities — but benefits from its direct access to Lake Kivu’s microclimate, which helps deliver coffees with clarity, balance, and complexity.
Baho
Emmanuel Rusatira, the founder and CEO of Baho Coffee, has been a key figure in Rwanda's coffee industry for over two decades. Starting as a washing station manager, he eventually launched Baho Coffee, which now oversees multiple washing stations in the country. Under his leadership, Fugi has become a center of innovation, incorporating alternative processing methods such as honey, natural, and experimental processes. Emmanuel is deeply committed to supporting local farmers, providing free seedlings, agricultural training, and market access to improve their livelihoods.
Emmanuel's dedication to quality and community development has made a significant impact on Rwanda's coffee sector. He initiated programs at Fugi that support young farmers, including a group of 37 motivated individuals who receive free seeds and guidance. His efforts have not only enhanced the global reputation of Rwandan coffee but have also played a crucial role in elevating the lives of local farmers, fostering both economic growth and sustainable agricultural practices in the region.
