Africa · Tea

The Wood Foundation Africa invests in Mushubi Tea Factory to boost Rwanda’s tea sector

Published 10 Sept 2026

Working to increase opportunities for smallholder farmers

The Wood Foundation Africa (TWFA) has acquired a co-majority stake in Mushubi Tea Factory in Nyamagabe District, in a move expected to expand the factory’s development , tea production, and increase opportunities for smallholder farmers in southern Rwanda.

The investment, made in partnership with Rwanda Mountain Tea (RMT), will support additional tea planting, improve factory utilisation and broaden smallholder participation in the tea value chain. This was announced on September 9, 2026.

Mushubi currently works with 1,973 smallholder farmers, with plans to bring an additional 2,500 farmers into the factory’s supply chain.

Commissioned in 2013, the factory has an installed capacity to process 60 tonnes of green leaf per day. In 2026, it is projected to process 5.21 million kilogrammes of green leaf, produce 1.3 million kilogrammes of made tea and generate about $4.3 million in sales revenue.

An investment to expand tea production

The investment is expected to increase the factory’s throughput by expanding the area under tea and strengthening support to smallholder farmers.

David Knopp, Chief Executive Officer of The Wood Foundation Africa, said the investment would help unlock Mushubi’s potential while creating opportunities for more rural farmers.

“We are proud to be part of Mushubi and look forward to extending our successful partnership with Rwanda Mountain Tea to an additional premium garden in Rwanda. Mushubi is a relatively new development but with significant potential in a high-quality tea growing region. Through this investment, we look forward to not only maximizing factory throughput by planting out more smallholder tea, but through a continued focus on quality, creating real value and wealth for an additional 2,500 rural farmers.”

Alain Kabeja, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Mountain Tea, said the partnership would focus on improving the factory’s performance and expanding its smallholder base.

“Rwanda Mountain Tea is pleased to deepen its partnership with The Wood Foundation Africa through this investment in Mushubi Tea Factory. Together, we aim to strengthen the factory’s performance, support the continued development of its smallholder catchment, and create long-term value across Rwanda’s tea value chain,” he said.

“By combining our operational experience with TWFA’s long-term commitment to smallholder agriculture, we believe Mushubi can continue to grow as a strong, sustainable and competitive tea business that benefits farmers, communities and Rwanda’s wider tea sector.”

Our seventh tea factory investment

Mushubi is TWFA’s seventh tea-factory investment in Rwanda, following its investments in Mulindi, Shagasha, Gisovu, Pfunda, Rugabano and Nshili Kivu.

The foundation also works through three tea-services companies in Nyaruguru and Rugabano districts, supporting more than 33,000 farmers to establish and manage tea farms.

TWFA has operated in Rwanda since 2010, working with government, investors, businesses and farming communities to support the development of the tea sector through investment, farmer services and long-term partnerships.

Impact in Action

Mushubi Tea Factory at a glance

First commissioned in October 2013 and located in Buruhukiro Sector, Nyamagabe District, the factory has a daily processing capacity of 60 tonnes of green leaf. The factory currently works with 1,973 smallholder farmers.

732 hectares

current smallholder area

1,000 hectares

additional planned tea planting

2,500

additional farmers targeted

5.21m kg

projected 2026 green leaf production

1.3m kg

projected 2026 made tea production

$4.3m

projected 2026 revenue