Shikankoni Hill

This fully washed lot comes from smallholder farmers working the slopes of Shikankoni Hill in Kayanza, northern Burundi. These producers are part of a wider community supported by Cafex—a local project with a clear mission: grow top-quality coffee while creating real, lasting change for farming families.

Cafex was started by a Belgian-Burundian couple who returned to Burundi with a vision. They wanted to reconnect with the coffee-growing traditions of their ancestral land and build a sustainable, community-driven business. Today, Cafex partners directly with local farmers to improve quality, increase incomes, and invest in the future of the region.

The coffee from Shikankoni Hill is milled and exported by Ikawa Nziza, a company formed in 2013 through a partnership between Cafex and Schluter. Ikawa Nziza operates the country’s first dry mill purpose-built for specialty coffee. Located at altitude, the mill is designed to process small, high-quality microlots like this one—preserving the unique character of the beans from farm to bag.

What makes Cafex stand out isn’t just its focus on great coffee, but the way it works with its growers. Payments are made weekly during harvest season—something almost unheard of in the region—so farmers have steady income without the long wait that’s usually the norm. This change has had a big impact: families can now afford healthcare, buy schoolbooks, and invest in their future.

The washing station itself has brought much-needed jobs to the area. Located in a rural, underserved town, the station provides work for both men and women—offering better wages than most local options. For many, a seasonal job at the station means a vital second income that helps stretch household budgets and improve daily life.

Beyond coffee, Cafex is building a more sustainable system. Their business model is all about mutual benefit. Growers are paid fairly and on time, quality is rewarded, and communities benefit through economic stability. It’s a system that encourages care, consistency, and pride in every harvest.