Inside Rwanda’s specialty coffee revolution with Laetitia Mukandahiro
How did Rwanda transform its coffee industry in just over a decade? The secret is simple but powerful: quality control. In our latest Uncupped podcast interview (now on YouTube), we sit down with Laetitia Mukandahiro—certified Q-Grader, seasoned trainer, and co-founder of Ikawa House—to dive into the remarkable transformation of Rwanda’s coffee industry. From empowering producers to fine tuning post-harvest processes, Laetitia explains how a focus on quality is driving real impact across the coffee value chain.
Meet Laetitia Mukandahiro: Champion of Rwandan Specialty Coffee
Raised in a coffee-farming family and active in the industry since 2005, Laetitia has worked with cooperatives, exporters, and NGOs across Rwanda. But it wasn’t until she earned her Q-Grader certification—a globally recognized coffee quality credential—that her mission really began to take shape.
“Since 2005, I was operating as a local industry dealer. But by introducing the Q-Grader in my life, it opened many doors at an international level—because now the market can trust me.”
Ikawa House: A Hub for Training, Cupping, and Change
Founded in 2019, Ikawa House isn’t just a coffee lab or export company—it’s a center for education and empowerment.
Here, Rwandan coffee producers don’t just drop off their harvests. They cup their own coffee, learn to evaluate it, and gain tools to meet the exacting standards of the global specialty coffee industry.
“Everyone is getting interested now. Farmers are excited. They say, ‘Why not me? Maybe I can be there too.’”
From Local to Global: Rwanda’s Rise in Specialty Coffee
Just 20 years ago, nearly all Rwandan coffee was destined for the commodity market. Today, thanks to trailblazers like Laetitia and organizations like Ikawa House, Rwanda has become a sought-after origin for specialty coffee buyers and roasters around the world.
Gitesi Coffee, a long-time partner of Ikawa House, uses the lab to cup harvest samples, evaluate quality, and fine-tune processing methods — all to ensure consistent high quality, harvest after harvest.
Watch the Full Interview
Want to hear Laetitia’s story in her own words and learn how Rwanda’s coffee revolution took shape?
👉 Watch the full Uncupped video on YouTube
