The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) on Friday, 21 August 2026, hosted a welcome dinner for the 18 international jurors from nine countries who arrived in Rwanda to participate in the Best of Rwanda 2026 Specialty Coffee Competition.

The evening brought together the international coffee experts and the NAEB team for a moment of connection, celebration and Rwandan hospitality, setting the tone for an exciting week of evaluating some of Rwanda’s finest specialty coffees.

The international jurors will evaluate the coffees that successfully passed the National Jury stage, bringing their expertise and international perspectives to the selection of Rwanda’s finest coffees of the 2026 competition. The evaluation will culminate in the Best of Rwanda 2026 Award Ceremony on Thursday, 27 August 2026, where the best-performing coffees will be recognised and celebrated.

Speaking during the welcome dinner, NAEB Chief Operations Officer, Mrs. Sandrine Urujeni, warmly welcomed the jurors to Rwanda and thanked them for accepting to contribute their expertise to the Best of Rwanda 2026 competition.

“We are delighted to welcome you to Rwanda and to have you join us for this important celebration of the excellence, passion and hard work behind Rwandan coffee. Your presence and expertise bring an important international perspective to the competition, while also providing an opportunity for you to experience Rwanda, its people and the unique story behind every cup of our coffee,” she said.

Mrs. Urujeni noted that Best of Rwanda continues to provide an important platform for showcasing exceptional coffees and connecting Rwanda’s coffee producers with the global specialty coffee market.

Organized by NAEB, the Best of Rwanda competition provides a platform for coffee farmers, cooperatives, washing stations and exporters to showcase exceptional coffees while strengthening their visibility and access to premium international markets.

As the international jurors begin their evaluation, attention now turns to the selection of the best coffees of Best of Rwanda 2026, with the winners set to be announced and celebrated during the Award Ceremony on Thursday, 27 August 2026.