Rwanda has emerged as a focal point at the inaugural Marrakech Coffee & Tea Festival in Morocco, positioning the country as a key player in the global specialty coffee and tea market. The festival, launched on December 6, 2025, offers Rwandan exporters an invaluable platform to present the exceptional quality of their products to international buyers, distributors, and investors.
The opening ceremony featured Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, alongside Rwanda’s Ambassador to Morocco, Umutoni Shakilla, highlighting the growing trade and economic cooperation between the two nations. The event underlines Morocco’s role as a strategic gateway to North African markets while strengthening Rwanda’s international presence.
Rwandan Exporters Gain International Exposure
A delegation of sixteen Rwandan coffee and tea exporters participated in the festival, showcasing products celebrated for their purity, distinctive aroma, and rich flavor profile. Rwanda’s reputation for specialty coffee and premium-grade tea has risen sharply in recent years, attracting global buyers who prioritize origin, sustainability, and consistent quality.
Robinah Uwera, Marketing and Communications Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), confirmed that initial meetings were highly productive. “Rwandan businesses held fruitful discussions with international investors and distributors,” she noted. “These interactions have the potential to translate into long-term partnerships and expanded market access.”
Rwanda’s Export Revenue on the Rise
Rwanda’s agricultural exports have seen significant growth. Tea revenue for the 2023/2024 fiscal year reached $114.88 million, representing a 7.1% increase from the previous year. Coffee earnings for 2024/2025 rose to $116.1 million, marking an impressive 47.4% growth.
Projections from the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) indicate coffee exports could reach $192 million in the current fiscal year, driven by nearly 32,000 tons of anticipated export volume. This growth underscores the resilience and global demand for Rwandan specialty coffee.
Rwanda’s Coffee: A Global Standard of Excellence
NAEB CEO Claude Bizimana emphasized Rwanda’s prominence in global specialty coffee production. “Rwanda is internationally recognized for its Arabica Bourbon coffee grown on high-altitude hillsides,” Bizimana stated. “It is celebrated for its exceptional taste, aroma, and consistent quality.”
With over 400,000 coffee farmers nationwide, each cultivating an average of 300 trees, coffee remains one of Rwanda’s most critical cash crops. The country employs diverse processing methods, including natural, washed, and honey-processed techniques, to meet the demands of different global markets.
Bizimana also highlighted Rwanda’s tea achievements, noting strong international performance across CTC tea, orthodox tea, and green tea varieties, further solidifying the country’s reputation as a top-tier agricultural exporter.
Morocco Offers a Strategic Market
The Private Sector Federation (PSF) identified Morocco as a promising market for Rwandan coffee and tea. According to PSF Chief Operating Officer Faustin Karasira, the Marrakech festival provides a crucial platform to deepen trade relations with Moroccan partners.
“The Moroccan market has responded positively to our products,” Karasira explained. “We see tremendous potential for long-term collaboration. Our partnership with CCISM in Marrakech will facilitate trade expansion and sustainable growth.”
Discussions with Morocco’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services (CCISM) may include trade missions, joint exhibitions, and new investment opportunities, offering Rwandan businesses a clear path to broader market integration.
A Gateway to New Export Partnerships
For Rwandan traders, participation in the festival is more than a showcase—it represents a strategic opportunity to understand market trends, connect with new buyers, and secure export agreements. Karasira emphasized that the delegation’s primary objective was building durable commercial relationships.
“We came to showcase our products, but also to establish partnerships,” he said. “Morocco has welcomed us warmly, and we are confident that these discussions will lead to meaningful business outcomes.”
Rwanda’s presence at the festival reinforces the country’s reputation as a producer of world-class agricultural exports and opens doors to trade agreements that could significantly boost the coffee and tea sectors. By leveraging international platforms such as the Marrakech Coffee & Tea Festival, Rwanda continues to expand its global footprint and strengthen the competitiveness of its agricultural products.
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