Coffee had always been Rwanda's biggest export, since the industry was established in the 1950s, with 77 of the 146 districts now producing green coffee. But tea is currently the main source of export revenue. Coffee production has plunged since the genocide of 1994, with only 14,000 tons valued at $15m now being exported compared with 29,000 tons, worth $38m, in 1993. Meanwhile COOPAC has doubled production each year since it was founded in 2001 and currently comprises 2,200 local farmers.

The Rwanda Coffee Working Group, lead by 40 members from private sector, public sector and voluntary organizations, has articulated a vision for Rwanda's coffee industry to: "Generate $120 million in coffee sales by 2010 by focusing on fully-washed high quality coffee". To realize this ambition, the group has identified clear initiatives in the areas of production, marketing, promotion and institutionalization. Meanwhile, the sales of high class, specialty coffee continues to steadily increase and COOPAC is one of the best. Private investors are now becoming attracted to opportunities in the development of the coffee business and coffee-washing stations.