The Executive Director of the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) Nestor Osorio and the Secretary General of Inter Africa Coffee Organisation Joseph Sacko on Friday hailed Rwanda for its leadership and consistency in producing quality coffee.

The accolades bestowed upon one of Rwanda’s leading exports, is not accidental. It is most probably a result of a realization that in order to compete on the international market, quality is everything. It is through quality and consistent production that standards are set and maintained.

The coffee sector in Rwanda has in recent times seen major and protracted investment mainly by the private sector. The setting up of coffee washing machines has helped in raising Rwanda’s coffee export profitability.

This is so because properly washed coffee fetches better prices. At the same time investment in Speciality Coffee, has made Rwanda a prime destination for those looking for quality coffee.

All this has translated into increased incomes for rural farmers and those who have over time, invested in the sector. Clearly, lives have been changed for the better as a result.

This speaks volumes about what is needed in other export sectors. That all exports must be of top class is not debatable. Rwanda has been able to demonstrate its competitiveness globally in many sectors including but not limited to; Tourism and Information and Communication Technology.

What is important is for all stakeholders to stay the course out of the realization that, it is through trade in products of good quality, that the country will realize the much needed social economic transformation.

Ends