From low-grade exports to a station of our own.
Green Mountain Arabica Coffee Ltd was incorporated in 2012 by Niyonsaba Jeanne. At the start the company bought and exported lower grades of coffee.
Jeanne’s aim was to build her own washing station and plantation — and to grow a company that could support women farmers. She had seen women work the hardest on the farms while the profit went to their husbands.
That first achievement came in 2017. With accumulated profit she bought the washing station in Karenge Sector, Rwamagana District, Eastern Province, together with the 12,000 mature coffee trees around it. GMAC stopped only trading coffee and started processing it.
To strengthen management she brought her husband, Rukaka Steven, in as Managing Director. Jeanne stayed Chairperson of the Board. Together they grew the partner base to about 1,200 Rainforest Alliance-certified farmers.
Those farmers include an association of 156 women that Jeanne funded, and a youth association funded so a younger generation would stay in coffee — because many young people do not see farming the way their parents did. GMAC now also works from Gasange in Gatsibo District, alongside Karenge.
Rukaka Steven — Managing Director. Jeanne remains Chairperson of the Board of Directors.