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about us
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In 2019, Luxmi Tea Company, one of the premiere tea companies in the world, partnered with The Wood Foundation Africa and acquired Gisovu and Pfunda tea factories through their joint investment vehicle, Silverback Tea Company. Subsequently, Rugabano Tea Company was brought under the joint venture. These investments are consistent with Luxmi’s drive to produce only the highest quality teas in the world while for TWFA, the factories offer a chance to boost the incomes of thousands of smallholder tea farmers by providing an array of professional services and incentives to maximize quality and yields.
Silverback Tea Company is comprised of three top Rwandan tea gardens, namely: Gisovu Tea Company, Rugabano Tea Company, and Pfunda Tea Company.
It is empowering over 11,000 tea farmers by improving their livelihoods and supporting community development. The company integrates sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices into its operations, shaping its organizational culture. With Rainforest Alliance and ISO certifications, Silverback Tea Company actively implements Organic and Fairtrade practices.
Our commitment goes beyond producing Rwanda’s finest teas—we invest in the well-being of the communities that make it possible. Across Pfunda, Gisovu, and Rugabano estates, we support initiatives that improve education, healthcare, sports, and access to essential resources.
Gisovu Tea Company is located 182 Kms from Kigali in the Western Region (Karongi District). Plantations lie at 2,500 m, with rainfall averaging 1,250 mm. The estate plantation comprises 394 Ha in production, with 836 Ha from 3,800 smallholder suppliers. Gisovu is also connected to Nyungwe – an ancient forest which pre-dates the ice age. The forest is home to Chimpanzees and Colobus monkeys and is the source of Gisovu’s special honey.
Gisovu is known for producing some of the
highest quality black CTC tea in Africa and is a highly sought-after mark.
Gisovu has received numerous accolades including Supplier of the Year in 2011
Pfunda Tea Company is located in the North-West of Rwanda (near Gisenyi in Rubavu District) and
was privatized in 2004. There are 3,600 farmers supplying Pfunda divided into 2 co-operatives, with 810 Ha of smallholder tea. Over 90% of the tea is smallholder supplied. Agro-climatic conditions at Pfunda are favourable, with rain averaging 1,400mm per annum. The factory is at 1,750 meters, while the highest tea is at 2,000 meters and lowland tea at 1,700 meters.
Rugabano Tea Company (RTC) is a new factory launched in 2019 and supports one of the most extensive greenfield developments in the world. This includes the establishment of a new majority smallholder-supplied tea factory (RTC), a 400-hectare core estate and 4,000 hectares of new smallholder tea, planted by more than 10,000 smallholder farmers with support from the Rugabano Outgrowers Services Company (ROS) which is funded by TWFA and Luxmi. ROS supports farmers with agronomic and extension advice, no-interest credit, inputs, and logistics among other services allowing very low-income farmers to get into tea farming in a profitable way and with guaranteed access to international markets.
PEOPLE
ENVIRONMENT
QUALITY
Our mission is To share the joy of the finest teas from Rwanda with the world
while uplifting their employees and smallholder farmers’ welfare, safegaurding the environment, and ensuring the highest quality standards.
Silverback Tea Company vision is to best tea company in Africa, producing the highest quality tea for premium customers. The tea should provide sustainable living to thousands of small holder farmers, and be natural and chemical free using regenerative farming practices
Accomodation
GISOVU LODGE
RUGABANO GUEST HOUSE
Rugabano Guest House is a tranquil retreat that showcases the beauty of Rwanda’s tea country. Surrounded by rolling green hills and vibrant tea plantations, it offers a serene escape for nature lovers and adventurers alike.