Description “Kinini” translates loosely as “this big thing right here,” an apt name for one of the most ambitious and unconventional coffee projects we’ve encountered. Founded in 2014 by Jacqueline Turner, it began by leasing unused land, distributing free seedlings, and paying farmers for several years while trees matured. Once production began, farmers retained 100% of cherry payments and earned quality bonuses, with centralized processing at the Kinini washing station providing consistency, traceability, and access to market. Today, Kinini brings together hundreds of smallholder farmers north of Kigali, roughly 85% of them women. Gender equity training—led by Seraphina, Kinini’s farmer liaison—led to the formation of women-led sub-groups within Kinini Village, the farms closest to the washing station. These groups organize collectively, reinvest premiums into their farms, and advocate for shared needs within the cooperative. Crop to Cup focused on Kinini Village after cupping revealed its standout quality potential and has since worked with Kinini to develop traceable, women-led microlots. In 2025, that work fully aligned quality, transparency, and exportable volume, setting the stage for continued refinement and growth in the years ahead.
