KIGALI, Rwanda – One of the most exciting news to emerge early this week at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) is the visit of Grace Hightower, an American running a company named Grace Hightower & Coffees of Rwanda, a humanitarian-based coffee venture that is committed to market Rwanda’s high-quality coffee worldwide.
The prominent actress and philanthropist, who is in the country for a two-day conference dubbed “Let’s talk coffee conference,” on Monday 17th February met with Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Agnes Kalibata, and discussed on Rwanda’s high-quality coffee and how it can be increased.
The discussions explored partnership with the ministry to sustain Rwanda’s coffee brand and plans to open coffee shop in Rwanda. Hightower, who has been selling Rwanda’s coffee to about 40 suppliers in the USA for about 2 years, has now new plans to expand the market and open new shops in Shanghai, china and in Japan as well.
In an effort to help improve the livelihoods of more Rwandans, Hightower set her sights on coffee, as a symbol of hope for the country, as well as a path to economic empowerment.
The American philanthropist has dedicated her activities in Rwanda to supporting women involved in coffee farming by empowering them with the opportunity to market their unique products to the world.
Minister Kalibata promised Hightower the ministry’s full support by making sure that the women she is working with provide her with enough high-quality coffee.
Coffee is one of Rwanda’s leading export revenue earners and generated US$ 55.2 million from 19,969 tons exported last season.
Source: MINAGRI
