The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Japan, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), showcased Rwanda’s specialty coffee at the SCAJ 2026 World Specialty Coffee Conference and Exhibition, held at Tokyo Big Sight from October 14 to 16, 2026.

Bringing together 15 Rwandan coffee-producing and exporting companies and 25 Rwandan participants, Rwanda’s presence highlighted the country’s coffee quality, diversity, and growing potential in the Japanese specialty coffee market. The exhibition welcomed 100,114 visitors from Japan and around the world, providing a valuable platform for international exchange and business engagement.

Throughout the three-day exhibition, the Rwanda booth welcomed coffee professionals, roasters, buyers, and enthusiasts, serving approximately 5,000 cups of Rwandan coffee and providing an opportunity to discover the diversity of Rwanda’s specialty coffee.

The exhibition also featured two dedicated seminars. The Best of Rwanda (BoR) Seminar and Cupping Session showcased all 25 award-winning Best of Rwanda coffee lots, allowing participants to cup and compare the winning coffees. The Mibirizi Coffee Launch Seminar introduced Mibirizi coffee to the Japanese market through a presentation and tastings of three new coffee lots.

Ms. Sandrine Urujeni, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), contributed to the program by delivering presentations at both seminars and a third presentation at the WATARU booth. Through these engagements, she highlighted Rwanda’s specialty coffee and its potential in the Japanese market.

Rwanda’s participation at SCAJ 2026 strengthened ties with Japan’s coffee sector and provided valuable opportunities to connect Rwandan producers and exporters with Japanese roasters, buyers, and other coffee professionals. 

Through the exhibition, coffee tastings, cupping sessions, and seminars, Rwanda showcased the diversity of its specialty coffee and encouraged greater interest in its unique coffee offerings. These engagements also helped foster potential business partnerships and deepen understanding of Rwanda’s coffee sector among Japanese stakeholders.

The Embassy’s involvement reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Japanese market, strengthening international trade relations, and promoting Rwandan specialty coffee to a wider global audience.