The Taste of Rwandan Highlands

From the
hills of
Huye.

Ikawa88 is a luxury specialty coffee house rooted in Huye, Rwanda — with offices in Cairo, Egypt and Abu Dhabi, UAE. Altitude, heritage, and craft converge in every cup. Scoring 88 and above is not a goal. It is our minimum.

Discover our story
Ikawa88 logo — sun, coffee leaves, and specialty coffee mark

Altitude

1,800 – 2,500m

Our Story

Coffee is our language,
Huye is our soul.

Born from a deep love of Rwandan terroir, Ikawa88 was founded in Huye, Rwanda and has grown to serve discerning coffee lovers across Africa and the Gulf, with offices in Cairo, Egypt and Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The name Ikawa means "coffee" in Kinyarwanda — a word woven into daily life across the hills of southern Rwanda. The 88 honours the SCA score threshold of true specialty grade: a promise we make with every single bag we ship.

We source exclusively from the best farms in Huye District — a region celebrated for its altitude, red volcanic soils, and generational expertise in coffee cultivation. From Huye we ship direct to Cairo and Abu Dhabi, and from there to the world.

Huye District · Southern Rwanda

88+

SCA Score

2,500m

Peak Altitude

88

"Every harvest carries the memory of rain, altitude, and hands that have tended these trees for generations."

— Ikawa88 Founder

Single Origin

Where every bean is born.

❋

All Ikawa88 coffee comes from a single origin: Huye District, southern Rwanda — grown at elevations between 1,800 and 2,500 metres on rich volcanic soil, processed at altitude, and shipped with full farm-to-cup traceability.

Primary Origin

01

Huye Mountain

The centrepiece of Ikawa88. Grown on steep hillsides in Huye District at peak altitude, these farms deliver exceptional clarity — vibrant acidity, stone fruit sweetness, and a signature floral finish that Huye is celebrated for worldwide.

1,800 – 2,500m elevation Washed & Natural Process Huye District, Southern Province

02

Seasonal Micro-lots

Select harvests from specific Huye farms chosen for exceptional cup scores. Limited in quantity, these micro-lots showcase the full potential of the terroir — complex, layered, and unforgettable.

Limited release Score 90+ Fully traceable

03

Farmer Partnerships

We work directly with smallholder farmers in Huye — paying above market rates, sharing cupping scores, and investing in processing infrastructure. Better relationships produce better coffee.

Direct trade model Premium pricing Long-term partnerships

Our Roast Range

Four roasts, one origin.

The same exceptional Huye beans, unlocked four different ways. From delicate and floral to bold and bittersweet — each roast level is crafted to reveal a distinct character of the terroir.

Blonde

Light roast · 196°C

The most delicate expression of Huye terroir. Expect bright citrus, jasmine florals, and a clean tea-like body. Ideal for pour-over and filter methods.

Intensity

Medium

Medium roast · 210°C

A balanced cup with caramel sweetness, red apple, and gentle nuttiness. The crowd-pleaser of our range — works beautifully as filter or AeroPress.

Intensity

Espresso

Medium-dark · 218°C

Rich, full-bodied, and complex. Dark chocolate, dried cherry, and a velvety crema. Designed for espresso machines but equally rewarding as a moka or French press.

Intensity

Dark

Dark roast · 226°C

Bold, smoky, and deeply satisfying. Bittersweet chocolate, roasted walnut, and a lingering finish. Made for those who want coffee that commands the room.

Intensity
"We do not sell coffee. We share a place, a people, and a practice — bottled in aroma, unlocked in your cup."

Ikawa88 · Huye · Cairo · Abu Dhabi

From Cherry to Cup

Our craft process.

Rwandan farmer harvesting ripe coffee cherries into a bowl at Huye District
I

Selective Harvest

Hand-picked at peak ripeness by Huye farmers who know every tree. Only fully red cherries are selected — discipline that starts the quality chain.

Worker carefully raking and turning coffee cherries on outdoor drying beds at Huye processing station
II

Careful Processing

Each lot is processed using clean mountain water on raised drying beds for full traceability. Washed for clarity, natural for depth.

III

Precision Roasting

Roasted across four profiles — blonde, medium, espresso, and dark — to reveal distinct character at every level while preserving the origin's signature florals and sweetness.

IV

Direct to You

Sealed within hours of roasting in Huye. Distributed through our Cairo and Abu Dhabi hubs to customers worldwide — with full farm-to-cup traceability in every bag.

Quality & Trust

Our certifications.

Every bag of Ikawa88 is backed by internationally recognised certifications — a testament to our commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical sourcing.

NAEB

National Agricultural Export Board — Rwanda

Rwanda Coffee

A Second Sunrise

Rainforest Alliance Certified

Est. 1987

Specialty Coffee Association

SCA Member

Contact

Let's talk coffee.

Whether you are a specialty retailer, a café owner, or a fellow enthusiast — we would love to connect. Wholesale enquiries, tasting events, and collaborations are always welcome.

Email info@ikawa88.com
Origin & Roastery Huye, Rwanda +250 785 111 111
Africa & Middle East Cairo, Egypt +20 10 3888 4088
Gulf & Asia Hub Abu Dhabi, UAE +971 50 7084021
Ships to Worldwide