Bumbogo washing station, Rwanda

Bumbogo Coffee Washing Station rests high in Rwanda’s northern hills, in the heart of Gakenke District. It’s run by our long-time partners at Neza Trading Company, and it feels less like a facility and more like a place shaped by the land and the people who work it.

The journey there sets the tone. About an hour from Kigali, the road winds through rolling green hills and deep valleys, cut through with Rwanda’s red-orange soil. Villages appear and fade, children walk home along the roadside, and coffee trees line the slopes in every direction. When Bumbogo finally comes into view, it arrives quietly — part of the landscape, not separate from it.

Founded in 2017, Bumbogo grew with intention, not urgency. What began as a small station soon became a meeting point for local farmers. By the following year, the station expanded with 106 additional African drying beds, bringing the total to 203. Each bed represents more than capacity — it reflects trust, shared effort, and a commitment to doing things carefully.

Our relationship with Bumbogo goes beyond processing. Together, we support farmers through training, seedlings, and practical tools that lead to better harvests and more stable incomes. We’ve also worked with the community to provide roofing materials, helping families build safer homes able to withstand the region’s heavy rains.

Bumbogo is not simply where coffee changes form. It’s where knowledge is shared, livelihoods are strengthened, and the character of this place is carried forward — quietly, carefully — from terroir to the cup.