Migoti Hill Community [23]

Migoti Coffee Company takes its name from the indigenous Migoti tree, which also lends its name to Migoti Mountain, where the company built its first coffee washing station. Situated in the Mutambu Commune of Burundi’s Bujumbura Province, just 30 km from the capital, Migoti is at the heart of a region steeped in coffee history. Burundi’s coffee industry has seen many transformations since its introduction during Belgian colonial rule in the early 1900s, and Migoti Coffee Company is part of the country’s post-civil war revival.

With ideal growing conditions—elevations between 1500 and 2000 meters, rich Bourbon Arabica trees, and a climate perfect for coffee cultivation—Migoti Mountain is a prime location for producing high-quality, specialty coffee. The community-owned coffee trees produce cherries that Migoti Coffee Company purchases directly from local farmers, ensuring a fair and transparent trade process. The washing station processes these cherries with meticulous care, resulting in over 300 tons of green coffee exported in recent years, consistently receiving high cupping scores.

Migoti’s local team, led by station manager Zephyrin Banzubaze, plays a critical role in maintaining the station's excellent reputation. A permanent staff of ten works year-round, with over 250 seasonal workers—mostly women—employed during the coffee harvest. The workers expertly manage the raised drying tables, ensuring only the finest beans are selected for export. Alongside processing, Migoti invests in educating farmers on sustainable agricultural practices, from pruning to soil stabilization, which helps increase yields and improve the livelihoods of the 800,000 coffee-farming families in Burundi.

Migoti Coffee Company stands as a beacon of hope for Burundi’s coffee sector, demonstrating the potential for high-quality coffee to contribute to both the local economy and the global specialty coffee market.