Rwanda and Singapore signed a coffee trade agreement aimed at bringing more buyers to Rwandan exporters and creating new opportunities for approximately 400,000 farming families who depend on coffee production for their livelihoods.
The agreement was signed on November 6, 2026, in Singapore by Claude Bizimana, Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), and Victor Mah, President of the Singapore Coffee Association.
The signing took place during the ASEAN International Coffee Summit, held from November 4 to 6, bringing together coffee producers, traders and industry representatives.
“Rwanda’s ambition is not simply to export more coffee, but to capture more value,” Bizimana said, explaining the country’s focus on improving coffee quality, strengthening farmers’ skills and building long-term relationships with buyers in Southeast Asia.
The agreement is expected to help Rwandan coffee businesses connect with buyers, traders, coffee roasters and distributors in Singapore and other Asian markets.
For Rwanda, the partnership represents an opportunity to expand its coffee business beyond traditional export destinations while increasing the value of products sold abroad.
Coffee remains one of Rwanda’s leading agricultural exports and an important source of income for rural communities.
According to NAEB, approximately 400,000 smallholder farming families depend on coffee production to support their daily needs, educate their children and meet other household expenses.
The new agreement could create opportunities for these families if stronger demand from Asian buyers leads to more export orders and improved earnings throughout the coffee industry.
However, the agreement does not automatically mean farmers will receive higher prices. Its potential benefits will depend on the business relationships established, the quantity of coffee purchased and the prices negotiated.
One of Rwanda’s priorities is to help local producers earn more from the quality of their coffee rather than relying only on increasing the quantity exported.
This includes improving farming methods, maintaining consistent quality, strengthening coffee processing and providing buyers with reliable information about where their products come from.
For farmers, these improvements could help their coffee reach buyers who are interested in high-quality products and willing to pay more for them.
Rwanda has already made progress in increasing coffee export earnings.
In 2025, the country exported 23,860 tonnes of unroasted coffee, generating more than Rwf 216 billion, according to NAEB.
This represented a 65% increase in export earnings compared with 2024, when Rwanda earned approximately Rwf 130 billion.
The growth was supported by increased export volumes, higher international coffee prices and investments in production and market expansion.
Farmers also benefited from improved prices during the 2025 season, receiving an average of Rwf 900 per kilogramme of coffee cherries, compared with the minimum price of Rwf 600 set by NAEB.
For the 2026 season, NAEB raised the minimum buying price for properly ripened coffee cherries to Rwf 750 per kilogramme.
These figures show the importance of coffee to Rwanda’s economy and the income of the families involved in its production.
Singapore has an established coffee industry that includes traders, processing companies, roasters, distributors and businesses involved in international coffee sales.
The Singapore Coffee Association represents businesses operating across these activities, making it a potential partner for Rwandan exporters seeking new customers.
Through the agreement, NAEB and the association aim to strengthen cooperation, share market information and help businesses identify opportunities for trade.
Singapore could also provide connections to buyers in other Southeast Asian countries, giving Rwandan coffee businesses a chance to explore markets beyond Singapore itself.
This is particularly important for exporters seeking to reduce their dependence on a limited number of international customers.
The agreement was signed during the ASEAN International Coffee Summit, where industry representatives discussed trade opportunities, coffee quality and cooperation between producing countries and international markets.
Rwanda also participated in Singapore Coffee Week, where its coffee exporters presented their products through exhibitions and tasting sessions.
Bizimana joined Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Innocent B. Muhizi, and exporters in promoting Rwandan coffee to international buyers.
Visitors had an opportunity to taste Rwandan coffee and learn about its quality and distinctive characteristics.
Such activities can help potential customers become familiar with Rwanda’s coffee before deciding whether to establish commercial relationships with local exporters.
The agreement provides a framework for continued cooperation, although the value of any resulting export contracts has not yet been announced.
Rwanda’s efforts to reach new markets are also linked to its growing focus on specialty coffee.
Specialty coffee is valued for its distinctive taste, quality, processing methods and the conditions under which it is grown.
For international buyers interested in these products, knowing where the coffee was produced and how it was processed can influence purchasing decisions.
Rwanda has continued to promote these qualities through international exhibitions and coffee competitions.
In October 2026, a kilogramme of Rwandan specialty coffee fetched approximately Rwf 670,000 during the Best of Rwanda online auction.
The record price was achieved by an exceptional coffee lot and does not represent the normal price farmers receive for coffee cherries.
Nevertheless, it demonstrated the value that some international buyers place on carefully produced Rwandan coffee.
By strengthening its presence in markets such as Singapore, Rwanda hopes to attract more customers who recognise the quality of its coffee.
This could encourage further investment in better processing facilities, farmer training and improved production methods.
It could also help Rwandan exporters develop longer-term business relationships rather than depending entirely on individual sales.
The Singapore partnership comes as Rwanda works towards increasing its annual coffee exports to 32,000 tonnes by 2029.
The country also aims to raise annual coffee export earnings to approximately Rwf 283 billion, based on the current equivalent of its target of $192 million.
Achieving these goals will require continued improvements in production, processing, product quality and access to international buyers.
NAEB has been working with farmers and coffee businesses to increase productivity, improve farming practices and strengthen the international reputation of Rwandan coffee.
The agreement with the Singapore Coffee Association adds another opportunity for exporters to establish relationships in a region where Rwanda is seeking to expand its commercial presence.
For the approximately 400,000 farming families who depend on coffee, the importance of the partnership will ultimately be measured by whether new market opportunities translate into stronger demand, reliable buyers and better returns for their work.
As Rwanda continues to promote its coffee internationally, the focus is not only on selling more but also on ensuring that greater value reaches the farmers and businesses behind one of the country’s most important agricultural exports.
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