I was born and raised in Rwanda, brought up by the lovely community that taught me the value of life and the treasure of generosity. A country where coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s a way of life. My journey started from simple curiosity, watching how coffee connected families, livelihoods, and entire communities. Over the years, that curiosity turned into purpose. I wanted to tell the story behind every cup, represent the people who grow it, and help shape how Rwandan coffee is valued in the world.
In 2018, I was honored to win the African AeroPress Championship, a milestone that changed everything. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of judging AeroPress competitions across East and North Africa, including in Kenya and Egypt, and working closely with AeroPress as a trusted partner. What I’ve always admired about them is how they bring innovation without losing simplicity, something I try to reflect in my own work.
Through my social-impact platform, Elevate Initiative, and my consulting firm, Elevate TC Company, I focus on building bridges between farmers and markets, baristas and opportunities, ideas and action. Together with AeroPress, we’ve even shared brewers with rural farmers, allowing them to brew their own coffee professionally for the very first time.
I started fresh from high school. Coffee allowed me to afford a law degree, but coffee also became my language for advocacy; teaching transparency, sustainability, and pride in origin. Today, whether I’m on a farm training women producers, judging competitions, or hosting masterclasses abroad, my goal remains the same: to use coffee as a force for connection, creativity, and change.
I’ve been using the new AeroPress Manual Grinder, and I have to say, it’s beautifully made and performs just as good as it looks. The 38mm titanium-coated conical burrs give me incredible grind precision, from French press, different filter brewers (V60, Kalita) to espresso, while the 25g capacity keeps my dosing clean, accurate, and consistent. I love the magnetic handle and side groove; it fits perfectly in my hand and makes grinding smooth, fast, and travel-friendly. I recently shared it with farmers I work with, and it was so rewarding seeing their faces light up as they moved from their traditional wooden grinders to this smooth, precise, and easy-to-use tool was beyond rewarding. It’s not for big batches, but it’s perfect for meaningful, one-cup moments that remind us why we fell in love with coffee in the first place. There’s something magical about sharing innovation right where it all begins: at the origin.
