Islamabad (National Times) The High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda in Islamabad, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB), successfully hosted the Rwanda Coffee Festival 2026 at the Mövenpick Hotel, Islamabad. The landmark event marked the first-ever dedicated platform for introducing Rwanda’s globally acclaimed premium specialty coffee to the Pakistani market.
The festival was formally inaugurated through a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Federal Minister for Commerce of Pakistan, Jam Kamal Khan, and Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Rwanda, Prudence Sebahizi, alongside H.E. Harerimana Fatou, High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to Pakistan, and Mr. Claude Bizimana, Chief Executive Officer of NAEB. The ceremony was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Members of Parliament, business leaders, and delegates from Rwanda.
In his address, Minister Prudence Sebahizi highlighted Rwanda’s transformation into a leading producer of high-quality specialty coffee, driven by innovation, rigorous quality standards, and sustainability-focused policies. He expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s warm hospitality and reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to deepening economic engagement with Pakistan. Emphasizing Rwanda’s premium Arabica coffee, renowned for its exceptional quality and diverse flavor profiles, the Minister underscored the significant potential for introducing Rwandan coffee to Pakistan’s growing consumer market and establishing direct sourcing and long-term partnerships with Pakistani businesses. He also noted Rwanda’s strategic access to the African market, stating that through the African Continental Free Trade Area, Rwanda connects to more than 1.2 billion people.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan welcomed the Rwandan delegation and congratulated the Rwanda High Commission on organizing the first Rwanda Coffee Festival in Pakistan. He commended the initiative for opening new avenues for bilateral trade and private-sector cooperation, reaffirming Pakistan’s interest in expanding trade relations with Rwanda. The Minister highlighted opportunities for collaboration in agro-manufacturing, textiles, leather, and value-added agricultural products, while emphasizing Pakistan’s readiness to facilitate greater market access for Rwandan products, including coffee.
The festival also featured a vibrant Rwandan cultural dance performance, offering guests a glimpse into Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage. Five leading Rwandan coffee companies participated in the exhibition, showcasing a range of coffee varieties and engaging directly with Pakistani importers, coffee professionals, investors, and consumers. Attendees widely praised the quality, aroma, and distinctive flavor profile of Rwandan coffee, recognizing its strong potential in Pakistan’s expanding specialty coffee market.