RWANDA REBORN Rising from the ashes of the devastating 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has over the last two decades transformed itself from a near failed state into a thriving economy. By Denis Gathanju
One of the biggest assets that this East African nation has capitalized on is in the tourism industry through the development of mountain gorilla tracking in the north of the country. This has by far been the biggest crowd puller into the country. However, the country has over the years sought to diversify its product offering to ensure wealth and jobs creation. This has been achieved through re-investing in the country’s other natural attractions such as the Nyungwe Forest and addition of wild game in the Akagera National Park which is today home to the big five thanks to the recent re-introduction of lions and black rhinos into the park. The recently completed Kigali Convention Centre underlines Rwanda’s intention to diversify its product offering and announce its entry into the highly competitive
meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market. With such a huge investment, the Rwandan capital has over the years witnessed massive new developments in its hotel sector. This has come with the entry of international brand hotels such as the Marriott, Radison Blu and Park Inn. The bed-capacity is further enhanced by the expansion and development of new hotels by local and regional investors. In addition to this, the city of Kigali has also witnessed an upgrade of its infrastructure, especially the road network. To cap it all, national carrier RwandAir has been on an expansion mode. This has seen the airline widen its route network both within and without Africa. The airline now connects Kigali to London Gatwick and Brussels in Europe and Mumbai, India. The airline has also acquired new wide-body aircrafts to serve these new destinations as it seeks to open new routes.
DESTINATION RWANDA
Marshalled forth by a visionary leadership, Rwanda is today the darling of many an admirers keen on socio-economic growth and development.
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Contents
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Rwanda reborn
Rwanda Travel Information
Hiking up mount Kibuye
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Rwanda opens up to the worls
High-end destination
Congo nile trail
10 reasons to visit Rwanda
Camping on lake Burera
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Seven must visit attractions
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Conserving Akagera
Tracking chimps PUBLISHED BY Imvaho Nshya
Gorilla tourism wiping out poverty in Rwanda
(+250) 784 867 952 (+250) 784 867 953 RPPC B.P 83 Kigali
Eat out Rwanda PHOTOGRAPHY Akagera aviation Rwanda development board Denis Gathanju
DESTINATION RWANDA
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Culinary journey in Kigali
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EXECUTIVE SUITES, is a prestige development that marks yet another milestone in the development of the capital city Kigali, Rwanda . Located within the city center near major national and international activities eg Kigali City Council, Serena Hotel, I&M Bank and Mille Colline Hotel, EXECUTIVE SUITES offer ultra-modern accommodation facilities that will satisfy even most discerning tenant This prestige development by EXECUTIVE SUITES offers high class accommodation in one & two bedrooms apartments and three bed roomed penthouses accommodation, hereby offering an excellent choice to suit the needs and of course the pockets of their tenants. They are fully furnished and serviced apartments. These multiple options make EXECUTIVE SUITES the first choice for tenants with preferences and budgets. The ground floor area also offers an excellent choice for offices, shops, etc for passing trade
HIGHLIGHTS Located in the City center in the up market location of Kiyovu, Nyarugenge District, Kigali Ultra modern architecture with panoramic view of the city center and surrounding hills Available furnished in one, two and three bedroomed configurations Fully furnished and serviced apartments to the hight standards with contemporary fittings Energy power supply generators in case of power failure Equipped with 2 Mitsubishi lifts to provide easy access to upper floors Fire and safety equipment confirming to international standards Sprinkler systems in all apartments as a further precaution against fire Laundry and Internet service provided Exclusive swimming pool, steam bath, gym, sauna and recreation area T.V. and cable in all apartments Complete building Installed with lighting arrestors
Contact us KN 73 Street, P.O Box 7273, Kigali Tel: +250 784 793121/ +250 739 374 635 Email: hillview.kigali@gmail.com Website: www.executivesuiteskigali.com
Grazia Apartments Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality sector is one of the fastest growing sectors and a major driver of the country’s economic growth, raking in over $300 million per annum. This has seen a growing appetite for investments in the sector to take advantage of the growing opportunities. Grazia Apartments is one of the latest entrants into this fast-growing industry. The facility offers luxurious and yet affordable accommodation in the heart of the City of Kigali. Located within the upmarket Kimihurura residential district, Grazia Apartments first opened in 2014 as an apartment hotel. Its prime location provides easy access as it is only 10 minutes’ drive from the Kigali International Airport and is within a fiveminute walk to the Kigali Convention Center. This makes the facility a great location to stay for business travelers attending business meetings and conferences in Kigali. Moreover, the fast-developing area has numerous shops, offices and restaurants.
FACILITIES Grazia offers a variety of accommodation facilities to cater to the diverse needs of customers in order to give each single customer a feel of the Rwandan hospitality with an international touch while away from home. All apartments have executive and exclusive balconies specifically designed to provide a good view to enjoy beautiful scenery of Rwanda’s green hills. A neat swimming pool, a well-stocked bar, a barbeque as well as a spacious restaurant with a rich menu of Rwanda/African and international cuisine are some of the many facilities that give guests a complete experience. While at Grazia Apartments, safety is guaranteed—thanks to the government of Rwanda’s total commitment to national security, says Mr Tharcisse Rutayisire, the proprietor. “We have taken advantage of the rapid economic growth, peace, security and good leadership to expand and constantly improve services offered to clients,” says Rutayisire. As the number of visitors to Rwanda grows, demand for good and affordable hotel services is also growing. As such, Grazia Apartments will leverage this to build and equip more rooms, build new apartments in other strategic parts of the city. This will not only lead to the creation of more jobs, but also increase in business opportunities for suppliers and service providers.
Contact us : Kigali-Rwanda Near Gishushu Road Tel +250788501343
RWANDA GENERAL RWANDA’S BETS FUTURE ON MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS Rwanda has placed a massive emphasis to development and expand its infrastructure so as to sustain economic development across the country. KIGALI CONVENTION CENTER The $300 million Kigali Convention Center is currently the largest infrastructure project that the Government of Rwanda has developed. This has come under the government’s policy of making Kigali a regional and international MICE destination. In 2015 alone
KIVU-WATT POWER PLANT Rwanda has developed the world’s only gas/water extraction energy plant on the Lake Kivu in western Rwanda. The $200 million Kivu-Watt Gas Power Plant is fired by methane gas extracted from Lake Kivu and will have the capacity to generate 100MW of electricity to power Rwanda’s economic transformation
BUGESERA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Rwanda is constructing a new $818 million international airport in Bugesera, south-east of Kigali. The new airport will not only be larger and modern, but will underline the country’s desire to develop into a regional aviation hub that will also see its national airline, RwandAir develop into a thriving African carrier
RWAMAGANA SOLAR POWER STATION Rwanda has developed one of Africa’s largest solar power stations in Rwamagana, north of Kigali. The $23.7 million solar power plant is designed in the shape of Africa and currently has an installed capacity of 8.5 MW of electricity which is an increase of about six per cent of the country’s energy needs
INFORMATION DOING BUSINESS IN RWANDA
SECOND POSITION Rwanda is ranked second in Africa in the ease of doing business
ECONOMIC GROWTH Rwanda has one of the fastest growing economy in Africa averaging 8 per cent
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT Rwanda is developing into a high end tourism and MICE destination
BUSINESS REGISTRATION It takes less than 48 hours to get a new business registered in Rwanda
RWANDA TRAVEL Kagitumba RWANDA
UGANDA
Lake Kivu
Idjwi Island
Lake Ruhondo
ab ar ong o
Ny
Wahu Island
Lake Burera
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AKAGERA Lake NATIONAL Mikindi PARK Lake Hago
EASTERN PROVINCE
Lake Kivumba
Lake Muhazi
Lake Ihema
CITY OF KIGALI
WESTERN PROVINCE
ger
Lake Rwanyakizinga
NORTHERN PROVINCE
GISHWATI NATURAL RESERVE Bugarura Island
Ka
Ka gi tu mba
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
ES K NO PAR A LC AL VO TION A N
TANZANIA
Kigali
Lake Nasho
Lake Mugesera
Lake LakeMpanga Cyambwe
SOUTHERN PROVINCE
Lake Cyohoha
Gombo Island
NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK
Lake Rweru
Ka ge ra
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ya r u
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Ak
BURUNDI
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LEGEND National Capital Mountain Gorilla Birdwatching site Big game watching Chimpanzee Trekking Lake National Park
MMUNICATIONS LTD.
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INFORMATION Yellow-fever vaccination certificates are compulsory for entry or exit, although they are not always asked for.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS Customs in Rwanda has one particular peculiarity: a total ban on bringing plastic bags into the country. This is enormously progressive and was designed to stop the disfiguring of the countryside. All duty free plastic bags and plastic wrappings on suitcases or other luggage are confiscated at the airport and other points of entry on arrival and safely destroyed.
VISAS Effective January 1, 2018 all nationalities requiring a visa to enter Rwanda can obtain the visa on arrival without prior application. Some nationalities are issued the visa free of charge on arrival while other nationalities will be issued the visa after paying the applicable visa fee which is about US$30. Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, as part of the Northern Corridor Initiative have a joint single tourism visa that allows nationals that need a visa to travel to any of the three nations do so with only one visa. This is to encourage cross-border tourism. Nationals of the three countries and residents can also free travel between the states with their national identity cards and foreign passes without restrictions.
ARRIVING AT DESTINATION Kigali International Airport Rwanda’s international airport is at Kanombe, 10km east of the city centre. The airport is fairly modern and well run – you don’t need to worry about touts or being ripped off, security is guaranteed A taxi/moto-taxi to or from the city centre costs Rwf 10,000/1,500. Big hotels provide transport to and from the airport. The ride takes about 20 minutes.
GETTING AROUND BY AIR Rwanda is a relatively small country and therefore has only one domestic air service between Kigali and Kamembe near the southern border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The route is operated by national carrier RwandAir. However, Akagera Aviation, a private helicopter company based at the Kigali International Airport, can operate to virtually any part of Rwanda.
LOCAL TRANSPORT TAXI Taxis are only really necessary in Kigali, though taxis are available in most other major towns.
MOTO-TAXI Most towns in Rwanda are compact enough to walk around, but otherwise a moto-taxi is a good bet. These motocycle taxis are not only cheap, but can get you virtually anywhere within the towns. It is mandatory for the driver and the passenger to use a helmet while riding on one and only one passenger per motorcycle is allowed.
BUS & MINIBUS Rwanda has efficient and reliable public transport system. Privately run buses cover the entire country and, with scheduled departure times. Tickets are bought in advance from a ticket office, which is usually the point of departure. The Nyabugogo Bus terminal is the largest bus terminal in Kigali. Buses to and from the main towns in Rwanda converge here. There are also regular buses to neighbouring capitals such as Kampala and Nairobi.
DESTINATION RWANDA
ENTRY & EXIT FORMALITIES
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RWANDA TRAVEL BICYCLE
immunocompromised or pregnant travellers.
Rwanda is an exceptionally hilly country, but it is also unusually scenic and has a very good road network by African standards. Cycling is certainly possible here, and for many locals it is their main way of getting around.
Travellers must carry a certificate as evidence of vaccination and present it at immigration upon arrival in Rwanda.
BOAT
Malaria is not wide spread in Rwanda, but is advisable to sleep under mosquito nets.
Ferries on Lake Kivu connect the Rwandan ports of Cyangugu (Rusizi), Kibuye (Karongi) and Gisenyi (Rubavu) on a twice-weekly basis. Each leg costs Rwf 2,500. Speedboat charters are another option between these ports, but they are prohibitively expensive.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE Cars are suitable for most of the country’s main roads, but those planning to explore the national parks such as Akagera National Park will need a 4WD. Car hire is well established in Rwanda, but there are plenty of small local agencies in Kigali that can organise something. Prices start at around US$50 per day if you’re driving around the capital. Most car hire agencies allow for self-drive while others can hire out cars with drivers. A 4x4 with driver and fuel will set you back US$150. For a small 4WD, such as a RAV4 (which is fine for anywhere in Rwanda), you’ll pay between US$60 and US$80, including driver and fuel. Prices are negotiable.
HEALTH
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MALARIA
The Antimalarial A to D A – Awareness of the risk. No medication is totally effective, but protection of up to 95% is achievable with most drugs, as long as other measures have been taken. B – Bites are to be avoided at all costs. Sleep in a screened room, use a mosquito spray or coils, sleep under a permethrin-impregnated net at night. Cover up at night with long trousers and long sleeves, preferably with permethrintreated clothing. Apply appropriate repellent to all areas of exposed skin in the evenings. C – Chemical prevention (ie antimalarial drugs) is usually needed in malarial areas. Expert advice is needed as resistance patterns can change, and new drugs are in development. Not all antimalarial drugs are suitable for everyone. Most antimalarial drugs need to be started at least a week in advance and continued for four weeks after the last possible exposure to malaria. D – Diagnosis. If you have a fever or flulike illness within a year of travel to a malarial area, malaria is a possibility, and immediate medical attention is necessary.
YELLOW FEVER
CAUSE
Yellow fever is spread by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms range from a flu-like illness to severe hepatitis (liver inflammation), jaundice and death. The yellow-fever vaccination must be given at a designated clinic and is valid for 10 years. It’s a live vaccine and must not be given to
The disease is caused by a parasite in the bloodstream spread via the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. There are several types of malaria, with falciparum malaria the most dangerous type and the predominant form in Rwanda. Infection rates vary with season and climate, so check out
INFORMATION the situation before departure. Unlike most other diseases regularly encountered by travellers, there’s no vaccination against malaria (yet). However, several different drugs are used to prevent malaria, and new ones are in the pipeline. Up-todate advice from a travel-health clinic is essential as some medication is more suitable for some travellers than others. The pattern of drug-resistant malaria is changing rapidly, so what was advised several years ago might no longer be the case.
MEDICATION
DESTINATION RWANDA
Many travellers are under the impression that malaria is a mild illness, that treatment is always easy and successful, and that taking antimalarial drugs causes more illness through side effects than actually getting malaria. In Africa, this is unfortunately not true. Side effects of the medication depend on the drug being taken. Doxycycline can cause heartburn, indigestion and increased
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Rwanda Opens up to the World All foreign nationals to get visa on arrival without prior application Rwanda has announced a new visa regime that allows travellers from across the world to be issued a 30-day visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport or any other port of entry, beginning January 1, 2018.
The first of its kind in Africa, the visa-on-arrival policy was approved by a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on November 8, 2017
The first of its kind in Africa, the visa-on-arrival policy was approved by a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on November 8, 2017. According to the Directorate-General of Immigration and Emigration, this directive means that citizens of all nations across the world will get a visa upon arrival without prior application. Prior to this development, only African nationals and few others were getting a visa upon arrival. Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Louise Mushikiwabo notes that this new visa regime will help open-up Rwanda to the world and is a key precursor to good for business.
Said she: “Rwanda believes that the free movement of people fosters trade and tourism, and is good for the continent’s integration policy. We are aware of the challenges of open
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borders, but as a country, we also believe that the benefits of our policy outweigh any potential setbacks.� This new development is in line with the vision of having Africans move freely within the continent to encourage intra-Africa trade as envisioned by the African Union that has recently developed the African passport. The current 30-day tourist visa costs $30. Under the new visa regime, citizens of Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Senegal, Seychelles and Sao Tome and Principe will be getting their visas free of charge on a reciprocal basis, with immediate effect. This is in addition to Democratic Republic of Congo, EAC countries, Mauritius, Philippines, and Singapore, whose citizens will not be paying for visas.
Comesa member states will also be getting a 90-day visa on arrival, as provided for by Article 4 of the Comesa Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Labour, Services, Right of Establishment and Residence.
DESTINATION RWANDA
In addition to this, Rwanda has waived visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, India, Israel, Morocco and Turkey.
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HIGH-END DESTINATION Rwanda is seeking to transform itself into a high-end tourism destination. This policy shift is modelled around the recent doubling of its mountain gorilla permits from $750 per person per trek to $1,500 per person per trek. Tracking mountain gorillas has been the biggest driver of tourism in Rwanda. It is an experience that animal lovers and wildlife conservation enthusiasts are keen on having. With doubling the cost of tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda, the nation is keen on attracting mainly high spenders into the country. The price increment in the cost of the gorilla permits comes with the mushrooming development of high-end tourism lodges and resorts close to the Volcanoes National Park. This brings about world-class accommodation facilities and services to cater to the high spenders. The trend has been extended to other national parks such as Nyungwe and Akagera where new high-end lodges are being developed. The western circuit hugging the shores of the Lake Kivu has also witnessed development of new resort-style accommodation facilities that further underline the desire to transform Rwanda into a high-end tourism destination. The city of Kigali, the political and commercial capital of Rwanda as over the recent years witnessed a construction boom of hotels. The city has witnessed an increase in its bedcapacity that is set to rise even further as new hotels continue to be developed. Key amongst these are world-renowned hotel brands such as the Marriott, the Radisson Blu and the Park Inn. They complement existing hotel brands such as the Kigali Serena Hotel.
Local and regional investors have also made massive investments by developing new hotels that have further boosted the bed capacity of Kigali. This makes it easy for the city to host large delegations as the country is aggressively seeking to attract local, regional and international meetings into Kigali. The spanking new Kigali Convention Center is the centrepiece of Rwanda’s announcement of its entry into the lucrative meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism sub-sector. Conference delegations mainly comprise of captains of industry, business leaders and senior government officials with a high purchasing power. Tapping into this market segment is what Rwanda’s new policy to transition into a high-end destination is anchored upon.
DESTINATION RWANDA
The price increment in the cost of the gorilla permits comes with the mushrooming development of high-end tourism lodges and resorts close to the Volcanoes National Park
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GISENYI Splash out the fun at Rwanda’s emerging resort city
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Rwanda has over the last few years been the home to a growing number of East African residents and people from almost all corners of the world. Kigali, the capital city, continues to witness a growing number of expatriates who now call Rwanda home. Many of them have come to work or set up their own businesses. While all work and no play makes many a dull people, there are some places in Rwanda that are quickly becoming the country’s playground. The resort city of Gisenyi, also known as Rubavu, that sits on the northern shoreline of the Lake Kivu is quickly becoming the de facto playground of Rwanda. The city is laid back and sits sandwiched between the great lake to the south and the great volcanoes to the north. The laid-back city is quickly becoming the getaway spot for many a residents of Kigali considering that it lies only 3 hours’ drive from Kigali and provides a wonderful location to enjoy a number of activities.
come in handy. For action enthusiasts, the lake offers a wide range of water sporting activities such as the newly introduced kayaking expeditions. And as the sun sets down on the continent, the expansive water body offers spectacular sundowner views over the waters of the lake and a backdrop of the rolling hills. The city boasts of a wide range of accommodation facilities that are aimed at catering to almost every person. Some of these hotels are located within the city center while most are located in the outskirts
DESTINATION RWANDA
Those keen on reconnecting with their families or friends and need to spend some quality time together away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life, can escape for a weekend to the scenic city. While here, leisurely walks along the city streets, especially along the shoreline
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Rwanda taps into
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MICE TOURISM
Conference tourism is one of the fastest growing segments in the tourism industry today. To tap into this, many countries, especially within Africa are looking towards tapping into this market segment to not only boost tourism arrivals, but also enhance business linkages through trade and repeat visits. The East African region has over the last few years witnessed a steady growth in the number of regional and international tourism meets that the region has been attracting. And the regional governments have responded to this to help boost the industry and make the region and their countries attractive to investments, trade and travel. They have done so by first implementing policies that encourage such regional and international meetings and gatherings to take place, but most of all, have sought to install the necessary hardware and infrastructure that is needed. This is one of the reasons why the Government of Rwanda (GoR) has recently unveiled the sparkling new Kigali Convention Center (KCC).
The iconic dome-shaped KCC adds to Kigali’s growing cityscape that has been changing over the last decade or so. The design is inspired by the structure of the traditional Rwandan homestead that comprised of dome-shaped thatched huts. The spiral motif commonly found in Rwandan traditional baskets and other forms of Rwandan art was also incorporated in the building’s structure. The colourful exterior of the adjacent Radisson Blu Hotel is inspired by the colourful strips of the Rwandan traditional baskets. The purpose-built convention center comes with a meeting hall that can accommodate up to 5,000 people and has several meeting rooms that can handle sizable groups of people.
DESTINATION RWANDA
With the opening of the convention center, Rwanda is set to massively benefit from hosting regional and international meetings, events and exhibitions.
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DESTINATION RWANDA
CONGO NI 28
DESTINATION RWANDA
ILE TRAIL
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Adventure tourism is a new addition into Rwanda’s tourism offering. Enjoying the great outdoors while soaking up the breath-taking sights and sounds is an intimate way of getting to see and experience a destination. The Rwandan great outdoors is excellently captured in the new Congo Nile Trail circuit that is to the west of the country. The trail stretches a respectable 227 kilometers that snakes along the shores of the Lake Kivu and into the deep countryside of western Rwanda. The sight of undulating hills that stretch as far as the eye can see underlines why this is known as the “land of a thousand hills”. The trail guides visitors to the ridges dividing two great rivers, passing beautiful green valleys, marshes and waterfalls. The trail offers mind-sketching views of the Rift Valley escarpment, a green carpet of vast tea plantations, thick coffee bushes that stretch as far as the eye can see and above all, open up to the Rwandan rural life like never seen before. The Congo Nile Trail is a network of roads that run from the border town of Gisenyi (Rubavu) on the northern shores of the Lake Kivu/ The trail continues southwards through Rutsiro via the Karongi and Nyamasheke districts and terminates at Rusizi on the southern tip of the Lake Kivu.
BIKING TOURS There are a couple of ways to experience this circuit. Hiking the trail from one end to the other is incredibly rewarding as it gives visitors ten days to soak in the raw beauty of the Rwandan countryside as well as affords hikers an intimate opportunity to interact with the rural folk. Hikers can indulge in local traditional dances as well as get to tour the tea and coffee plantations. Biking tours are also an equally incredible way to experience the trail and interact with the local people. When biking, it is advised to be vigilant of other road users like motorcyclists, cars and pedestrians. There are several shops along the trail where one can buy food and water to stay hydrated. Those keen on exploring this circuit are advised to get a map of the entire trail so as they can get around easily without much difficulty. The
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detailed map shows directions, distance and elevation of the landscapes to help enthusiasts navigate the entire circuit. Maps are available from most tour companies in Rwanda as well as from the Rwanda Development Board’s department of Tourism and Conservation. Hiking and biking gear including mountain bikes can be hired from local tour companies. Other gear that can be hired include sleeping bags, gloves, helmets and dust masks. The trail has some well-serviced camping sites, guesthouses and coffee stations that offer excellent accommodation along the way, with opportunities to sleep under the stars during the dry season. Aside from the love of the great outdoors, which is a mandatory requirement, a decent level of fitness is required for the challenging elevations in the trail. The trail elevation ranges from a low of about 1,440 metres above sea level to a high of about 2,630 metres above sea level. This no doubt offers a serious physical work-out.
CAMPING
Travellers who camp along the trail can also take part in other activities such as bird watching, with guaranteed sightings of species such as fowls, white-headed cormorants and many more. Other activities to enjoy include swimming and relaxing on the Karongi sandy beaches, canoeing to the islands and visiting waterfalls. The biking trips also include side adventures to other attractions such as the Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati Mukura Forest Reserve. These two parks are rich in primate populations that include chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. Nyungwe Forest also offers the great canopy walk.
DESTINATION RWANDA
The Gisenyi to Kibuye trail is about 120km long and includes a chance to take boat trips on Lake Kivu. Aside from the traditional boats made by the locals, it is now possible to do kayaking on the Lake Kivu as part of the Congo Nile Trail expedition.
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reasons to visit
RWANDA
Rwanda has so much to offer the intrepid traveller. The country boasts rolling hills that stretch for as far as the eye can see, wonderful national parks and numerous lakes. It offers great complimentary experience in conjunction with other East African nations.
1. INCREDIBLE NATURAL BEAUTY There is a reason Rwanda is known as the land of a thousand hills. This is because the country opens up to incredible views of lush green hills with sweeping panoramic views. Away from the city of Kigali and other urban centers, the countryside opens up to tree-lined roads and footpaths that lead to the depths of this amazing country. Moreover, the country boasts numerous lakes that offer amazing sights. To cap it all, this is the home of the endangered mountain gorillas.
2. EASY TO GET AROUND Due to its geographical size, it is incredibly easy to get around the towns and the entire country. Public transport around the country is superb, safe, and easy to figure out. All buses to the other major towns and the countryside and even to the neighbouring countries depart from the Nyabugogo bus station in Kigali. Within the towzns and in Kigali, getting around is even more simplified as there are thousands of taxi motorcycles that are not only cheap, but readily available. Due to its small size, unlike most other countries in the region, you can pretty much see most of Rwanda in a single visit.
3. THIS IS PRIMATE NATION Rwanda is largely known for its mountain gorillas. Located within the Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Rwanda shares the mountain gorilla population with the neighbouring countries of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo where more than 900 mountain gorillas live. Aside from mountain gorillas, Rwanda also boasts a sizeable population of golden monkeys also found within the Volcanoes National Park and a huge population of chimpanzees found in Nyungwe National Park in the Southern Province of Rwanda.
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The Akagera National Park is not as huge and as diverse as many other national parks in the region, but still it offers travellers a glimpse of the big five, thanks to the recent re-introduction of lions and black rhinos. Visiting the Akagera National Park, which is only two hours’ drive from Kigali is also not as expensive as normal game safaris in other places.
5. KIGALI - A CITY ON THE MOVE The city of Kigali is not only vibrant, but it holds its ground as pretty safe and clean. It is rather laid-back compared to the other cities in the region, but has over the years witnessed massive investments to its nightlife with mushrooming cafes, pubs and night clubs.
Check out the bustling Kimironko district, home to the city’s largest market. Walk the streets of the vibrant Nyamirambo district that comes to life as the rest of the city retires for the day. Nyamirambo is Kigali’s Muslim quarter and is famous for shopping and tasty brochettes. There are art galleries and museums spread across the city.
DESTINATION RWANDA
4. GAME SAFARI AT A BARGAIN
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6. TO HIGH-END DESTINATION Rwanda is now modelling itself as a highend destination. This is after the country doubled the price of its mountain gorilla permits, which are the biggest drivers of tourism in the country. The country has also seen massive investments of high-end hotels and lodges to compliment this.
7. AND YET, RWANDA IS STILL AFFORDABLE Although the gorilla permits recently doubled in price and international luxury lodges are springing up around the country, this is not to say that the country is not open to middle and budget travellers. The ease of getting around and the availability of budget accommodation means that Rwanda is still an affordable destination to visit.
8. IT IS STILL RAW Rwanda is still a raw destination. The country is not crowded with tourists and still has many other locations and facilities that are yet to be opened up. The resort towns are still under development and offer an exclusivity that many are looking for. Kayaking can now be done in absolutely peace and freedom on the Lake Kivu from Gisenyi. The national parks are not crowded with tourists and safari vehicles; the camps and lodges are still small, private and intimate, giving travellers the peace and tranquility that comes with such kind of travel.
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9. WALK THE RAINFOREST CANOPY
10. EVERYONE IS WELCOME While most countries are busy placing travel restrictions and making it harder for people to visit, Rwanda is open to anyone anytime. The country has abolished visa for all nationals and is now granting visas on arrival at any point of entry to all nationals without the need to have to pre-apply for the same. Rwanda awaits your visit.
DESTINATION RWANDA
Nyungwe National Park is an ancient rainforest located in southwestern Rwanda. The massive rainforest stretches as far as the eye can see. This is also home to one of Africa’s largest population of chimpanzees. To appreciate the beauty of this forest, take the forest canopy walk that takes you to the upper reaches of the forestlands for an elevated view of the forest and primates residing at the tree tops.
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Hiking up Mount
KABUYE Even if you just want to climb a volcano you have to pay out for a permit and you must take a guide along. However, for people keen on having a good work out in the name of a hike, can still do so. There is a mountain that is not only free to take hike – it’s also quite easily accessible by car or by bus. Mount Kabuye – not to be confused with the town of Kibuye in western Rwanda. Towering to a height of 2,700 metres, Mt. Kabuye is Rwanda’s highest mountain. This even though the volcanoes in northern Rwanda, whose height exceed that of Mt. Kabuye, are not classified as mountains. That is not to say that Mt. Kabuye does not offer budding hikers a challenge on the ascent. Scaling to the peak of this mountain offers spectacular view of the vast countryside below. As the mountain is located in a rural setting, it also offers
hikers an opportunity to experience quaint rural villages and their friendly occupants.
GETTING THERE The beauty of visiting the mountain is the ease of access to get here. From Kigali, it is possible to access the mountain via public buses that ply the Ruhengeri route in northern Rwanda. Alight at the Gakenke shopping center and from here, one can take a taxi-moto to the foot of the mountain. If driving, then turn right at the Gakenke shopping center onto the road that intersects the main road. Just look for the sign that directs you to the road to the hospital, or centre de santé, and take it. Continue down this road for about ten minutes to the sector office where you can park and leave your car behind. It is not necessary to use a guide for the hike up the mountain. However, the local people are more than keen to assist hikers and point out the direction up the mountain. Pack some lunch, which you can have at the peak of the mountain before the climb down.
DESTINATION RWANDA
Nobody would argue against the statement that Rwanda is simply one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. With its endless hills and varying landscapes there’s no shortage of stunning scenery and awe inspiring vistas. But let’s face it; you have to shell out a fair amount of money to enjoy any of the great natural landmarks like Nyungwe Forest, Akagera National Park and the like.
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CAMPING on Lake Burera
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There are plenty of getaway options away from the hustle and bustle of Kigali. The twin lakes in northern Rwanda make the list. While there are several accommodation options available around the Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, consider camping on the Ile de Cyuza which is smack in the middle of Lake Burera. La Paillotte Gorilla Place in Musanze town, in addition to running a bakery, restaurant, and several guesthouses, also owns Ile de Cyuza (Cyuza’s Island) on the Lake Burera. The island covers 14 hectares, and though parts of it are cultivated, a lot of the island is still in a natural state. Vegetable patches and fruit trees, however, abound! The island is also a communityrun initiative, benefiting the surrounding town with the proceeds from your stay and the produce from the island.
GETTING TO ILE DE CYUZA
Again take the public buses to Rugarama which is about 30 minutes’ drive from Musanze. Rugarama is about four kilometres away from Lake Burera. From here, one can opt to either walk or take a taxi-moto to the shore of the Lake Burera and from here, a 20-minute boat ride to the site. This is a very basic location, and since it is mainly for campers, most bring their own food and sleeping bags. However, food can be ordered from La Paillotte restaurant and will be delivered to the camp. It is recommended that campers bring along warm clothing and blankets as the place gets chilly at night.
DESTINATION RWANDA
It is best to make a reservation with the La Paillotte Gorilla Place before travelling to the location. You can access the location both through public means as well as in a private car. If taking public bus from Kigali, alight at Musanze town (Ruhengeri). Upon arrival in Musanze, head to the La Paillote restaurant to confirm your booking in person and be on your way.
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NICE CORNER Guest House
Services - ACOMMODATION (With Breakfast) - FOOD (By Order) - ALL ROOMS ARE SELF CONTAINER - DRY CLEANER (By Order) - PAY BY SMART CARD (Visa ...)
Contacts +250 788628545 +250 728628545
BUILDS EMPIRE of food processing
If you have never made a stopover at Nyirangarama, perhaps you travelled while asleep and you hear someone talking about Nyirangarama. Nyirangarama is the most known stop-over point for travelers plying the Kigali-Musanze route. For travelers using public means, it is the only place the bus stops for you to grab a few refreshments. Sina Gerard, the owner of Urwibutso enterprises started in 1983 as a small roadside mandazi shop in Nyirangarama Sector, Rulindo District Northern Province. Eventually he moved into food processing which has earned him a considerable business reputation in the region. Today that name is identical with Nyirangarama, and no speak of it is complete without mention of Sina! Food processing and farming are the dominant activity here, and some of the products on offer are; various fruit juices, biscuits, cookies, banana and grape wines, fruit jam, bread, honey, flour, and the well-known Akabanga chilli sauce. Sina’s life revolves around the remote farmlands that dot his huge plantation, He is very humble man that loved by every one of his employees.
“I try to do the best as always encouraged by the top leadership of our country. Currently, we have branches in East Africa, Europe and I optimistic and working hard to penetrate the Asian market in future.” He says.
In the exclusive interview with our journalist recently, Sina Gerald said, “I can say with self-confidently that I’m a man who focuses on farmers all related to technology I do not have enemy in this whole village, I work with all the farmers in this village, because all the food that I process here is bought from them. The road to success has been hard for him like it is for everyone else, but he advises that one must not give up “you don’t have to give up immediately just strive to reach your objectives” he narrates with a clear perspective of his rough journey of success. He emphasize that his dreams has come true at least, thanks to the good economic environment in the country. But he is still having a long way to go especially in terms of using technology in daily life. Sina Gerard added “The word ‘Urwibutso’ means a lot to me. It is the foundation of what my business is today, Sina explains self-confidently. His famous Akabanga chilli, Agashya’ juice and Urwibutso’ doughnuts has made him fame in the area, in Rwanda and international level.
HARD WORK PAYING OFF When he started out as a small baker in 1983, many people wrote him off as a joker. Many thought he would not last a year in the then exclusive territory of largely old men, who had a lot of money. But he dared to dream and ‘forced’ himself into this exclusive club of older entrepreneurs.
Today, Sina Gérard is a respected model commercial farmer and agricultural produce processor, in Nyirangarama Sector, Rulindo District Northern Province and has no regrets for having tried his fortunes at business. As the bakery stabilized and started bringing in good returns, Sina expanded and ventured into fruit juice-making, taking advantage of the numerous family fruit trees. With time, he realized that he could earn more money by applying advanced technology to process farm produce. So, in 1999, using savings from his business, he partnered with local farmers, bought juice-making equipment and also invested in juice preservation research.
production. Entrepreneur is now a proud owner of Urwibutso Enterprises, which runs a chain of restaurants, a water bottling company and biscuit and chilli-making factories. The former ordinary baker, who originally employed one person, now employs 280 full-time workers and about 3,000 others depend on his businesses indirectly. He also gives farmers, hybrid cows, and seedlings and trains them free of charge to make them better farmers.
“The reason I wake up every morning and work with zeal from morning to sunset is because I have an obligation to contribute to nation building,” he says.
Like he predicted, the move didn’t disappoint, which encouraged him to diversify his enterprise. That is how he started a piggery project, cattle, goat and rabbit rearing units, plus wine
Because of Sina’s business acumen, many people think that he went to some of the top business schools in the West. The nononsense processor is a self-taught, determined and result-oriented entrepreneur; that is his big plan.
Sina is now focusing on driving agricultural change in rural communities. Always the innovator, he has started producing
strawberries rather than staple foods, and growing exotic fruits, such as grapes and apples for wine production. He also plans to expand his business empire into the export industry. The major challenges his enterprise faces are lack of skilled manpower as most educated people don’t want to work in rural areas, but his vision of establishing an agriculture technical school is seen as a lasting solution. He also says that unpredictable climatic changes also affect his agricultural output in most cases Although his skills in agriculture are transformative, some of Sina’s methods are too inventive. For example, he has been experimenting with playing music to his pigs which he says has seen an improvement in productivity. Sina Gerard has also started a school “College Foundation Sina Gerard”
Call: +250 788 305 122 / 788 382 222 Email: info@sinarwanda.com Email 2: owner@sinarwanda.com Facebook: sinarwanda Twitter: @sinarwanda Website: sinarwanda.com
covering nursery, primary and secondary grades, where all children of his employees have free access to education. He has also a plan to inaugurate an agricultural institute where young Rwandans will acquire relevant farming skills and impact change in the agriculture sector. “I thought it useful to start the school because I wanted to support my employees and their families. I have a dream to facilitate the student of College Foundation Sina Gerard until some of the will earn PDH”. He says. Sina calls on farmers and budding entrepreneurs to desist from selling unprocessed agricultural produce because this doesn’t fetch them good cash. His model farming and entrepreneurship skills have won him a number of Rwandan Presidential accolades and trophies, and prizes from the UK, the US, Switzerland, Germany and Kenya.
Products Organic juices
Akarusho red sweet grape wine
Akarusho red dry grape wine
Agashya passion fruit syrup
Agashya pineapple syrup
Agashya stawberry syrup
Natural Honey
Akandi natural mineral water
Akandi natural mineral water 1l
Akanozo sorghum flour
Akanozo wheat flour
Akanozo mixed flour
Akabanga chilli oil
Wines, Water and lot more
Akabanga chilli oil
Urwibutso Donut
Akarabo Biscuit
Akarusho banana wine
DESTINATION RWANDA
must-visit attractions
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RWANDA’S TOP SEVEN NATURAL AND HERITAGE ATTRACTIONS One of the smallest nations in East Africa, Rwanda, has over the last few years packed a powerful punch in the tourism sphere in the region. This is largely because of its success in mountain gorilla tourism in the Volcanoes National Park. However, the country has a lot more to offer than just the mountain gorillas. The country boasts additional natural attractions that should be further exploited and experienced by discerning travellers.
VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK Rwanda is one of three nations in the world where it’s possible to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat within the Virunga ecosystem that is shared by Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is part of this ecosystem and is the smallest of the three measuring about 125km² of rain forests. It is within this ecosystem that more than 400 mountain gorillas call home and where tracking can be done. Tracking the mountain gorillas is limited to only eight persons per group for a maximum of one hour. Rwanda currently has 12 habituated groups of mountain gorillas. The current cost of a permit is US$1,500 per person per trek. Volcanoes National Park is located in Musanze district, which is about a 90-minute drive from the city of Kigali. Aside from tracking mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, the park plays host to a large population of golden monkeys which can also be tracked for a cost of US$100 per person per trek. Enclosed within the park are the famous Virunga volcanoes, namely Mgahinga, Sabyinyo, Muhabura, Karisimbi and Bisoke volcanoes. The Karisimbi and Bisoke volcanoes offer excellent hiking and mountain climbing activities. The Bisoke volcano has a crater lake at the peak.
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DESTINATION RWANDA
A mountain gorilla at Volcanoes National Park
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NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in the south-western part of Rwanda and has an unmatched biodiversity of wildlife and birding. The park is the largest protected conservation area in Rwanda covering over 970 km2 of natural rainforest, bamboo woodlands, open grasslands and swamps. Nyungwe Forest is Rwanda’s main watershed. The forest is characterized by dense forest canopy that spreads as far as the eye can see. To enable visitors appreciate this sight, the park has a suspended canopy walk that affords great views of the forest cover. From this vantage point, visitors can also get to see chimpanzees high in the trees as well as a number of birds. The park boasts one the largest population of black and white colobus monkeys found anywhere in the world with over 300 different troops resident in Nyungwe. Other species of primates including the red tailed monkey, blue monkey, and the grey cheeked mangabey. Just like in the Volcanoes National Park where tracking of mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys is possible, Nyungwe Forest affords travellers a similar tracking experience to see the cheeky chimpanzees resident in the forest. Several hiking trails within the forest lead travellers to a group of habituated chimpanzees. And just like the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, visitors are allowed to spend a maximum of one hour with man’s closest cousin in the wild.
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Akagera National Park lies to the north-east of the country and is aptly named after the Kagera River which forms the boundary between Rwanda and Tanzania. The river flows through the park and feeds into several beautiful swamp fringed lakes dotted across the park. With a backdrop of rolling hills covered with African acacia woodlands and savannah grasslands, the park was formed to conserve the unique vegetation and wildlife found within the area. The park has three eco-regions that are teeming with more than 8,000 wild animals that include buffalo, elephant, hippo, giraffe, zebra and several antelope species. The newest addition to the park include lions and black rhinos that were re-introduced into the park to help complete the availability of the big-five in Rwanda. Birdlife in Akagera is also prolific with over 480 species of birds recorded, including endemic species such as the red faced barbet. The iconic shoebill is also found within this park.
DESTINATION RWANDA
AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
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LAKE KIVU Lake Kivu, located to the west of the country and bordering the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a stunning place to visit. The lake offers a host of water sports activities that include traditional fishing with the locals, swimming and kayaking. There are also numerous islands located within the lake that can be visited. The Lake Kivu is part of the western tourism circuit that is currently witnessing a boom with the mushrooming of at least three resort towns that include Gisenyi at the northern tip of the lake, Kibuye (Karongi) in the middle and Cyangungu (Rusizi) at the southern tip of the lake.
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BUTARE
NYANZA
Butare, also known as Huye, is the second largest urban settlement in Rwanda after Kigali. The town is situated in the southern province of Rwanda and is on the main KigaliBujumbura highway. It is an important stopover point for travellers heading to and from Nyungwe.
King’s Palace Museum – Rukari
The exhibits are spread across seven exhibition halls showcasing some very interesting items depicting the traditional life of Rwandans of yesteryears. The first hall contains the museum shop while the second hall has geological displays including a large relief map that shows the topography. The mid-section halls exhibit items used in agriculture, hunting, animal husbandry, weaving, pottery and woodwork.
A visit to the royal palace in Nyanza affords visitors and intimate insight into the life and times of pre-colonial Rwandans, their culture and traditions. Behind the royal compound are the inyambo (sacred cows) with their super-sized horns.
A visit to the royal palace in Nyanza affords visitors and intimate insight into the life and times of pre-colonial Rwandans, their culture and traditions
The kagondo hut forms the centrepiece of an exhibition showcasing housing and living compounds in Rwanda during the pre-colonial times. The last halls feature traditional clothing – including garments made from pounded tree barks and goat-skin coverings. Therein also lies information on Rwandan prehistory, including an interesting section on divination.
It is here that the royal residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa, built in 1931 is located. This colonial-style home served as the royal palace until he died. Unfortunately most of the furniture and gifts he received from visiting dignitaries were stolen during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis, but it is still an interesting home to wander through, with its peculiarities including three living areas, the best of which was reserved for receiving white people and other distinguished guests. There is also additional information within the compound about Rwanda’s history. Mutara was the first mwami (king) to convert to Catholicism.
DESTINATION RWANDA
Butare is also the former capital city of Rwanda. Today, this town hosts the Ethnographic Museum which is one of the most beautiful structures in Butare, This museum boasts one of the best ethnological and archaeological collections in the entire region.
Situated on a hill about 2km southwest of the town of Nyanza, this fascinating museum is less about ancient history and more about royal residences of yesteryears. Nyanza is regarded as the historical capital of Rwanda as this was where the Mwami or king resided. The displays centre on a replica king’s ‘palace’.
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Kigali is the thriving political and commercial capital of Rwanda. It is today one of the cleanest and greenest city in World and is expanding and developing at a fast pace. The city has several places of interest. These include:
• Kigali Genocide Memorial
The Presidential Palace Museum is yet another remnant of the 1994 the Genocide against the Tutsi. This played host to the Genocide kingpin, late President Juvénal Habyarimana whose plane was shot down by his own soldiers while trying to land at Kanombe Airport. The site today still has remnants of the plane as some fell from the skies into this own compound.
• Museum of Natural History/Kandt Museum Known as the Kandt Museum, this is one of Kigali’s best museums. It houses exhibits on Rwanda’s natural wonders in what is a 1907 residential house owned by explorer Richard Kandt. It is also considered as the first building ever built in Kigali. Aside from these, Kigali hosts numerous art centres, modern and traditional restaurants, cafes and pubs.
DESTINATION RWANDA
• Presidential Palace Museum
The largest and most significant of this past history is the Kigali Genocide Memorial located in the Gisozi area of Kigali. The memorial centre features an audio visual display and a large courtyard where more than 250,000 victims of the 1994 genocide are buried.
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DESTINATION RWANDA
AKAGERA big game country
Africa improved food Rwanda Limited Malnutrition is a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, especially among children under five. In Rwanda, although figures show that severe malnutrition among children under five reduced from 43% to 36.7% between 2012 and 2015, it remains a key concern for the government. Through various initiatives, the Government of Rwanda (GoR) targets to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition and stunting in children to 18% by next year and eventually eliminate under vision 2020.
Africa Improved Foods (AIF) Rwanda Limited, producer of high quality supplementary foods, fortified with vitamins and essential nutrients, is the biggest initiative so far aiming at addressing malnutrition among children, expectant and lactating mothers in the East African region where stunting affects 40% of children. AIF Rwanda is a joint venture between the GoR and Africa Improved Foods Holdings, a consortium of four international partners; Royal DSM, Dutch development bank-FMO, CDC Group plc (the UK government’s Development Finance Institution) and the IFC of the World Bank.
At full capacity, the $60 million factory located at the Kigali Special Economic Zone will produce about 45,000 tons of nutritious foods annually. This is enough to prevent child malnutrition in Rwanda as well as for export to the regional markets. In operation since November 2016, AIF Rwanda is already making an impact, producing a million servings of affordable, nutritious food every day.
PRODUCTS RANGE -Supper Cereals Plus: Specifically made for children aged six months to two years. It is composed of maize, vitamins and essential minerals - Shisha Kibondo: It comes in two types; For children 6 months to two years and for expectant mothers. - Nootri Toto: For children - Nootri Mama: For breastfeeding mothers - Nootri Family: For the whole family is expected soon.
By investing in Rwanda, the company sought to leverage Rwanda’s good doing business environment, political and economic stability to produce a wide range of fortified foods for the domestic and regional market. Exports already go to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and will soon export to Tanzania and Kenya. The World Food Programme (WFP) is currently AIF’s biggest institutional customer and through purchases by other United Nations agencies, the company is contributing to the fight against malnutrition and stunted growth in children globally. This is the first time manufacturing of fortified food for WFP relief efforts is done in Africa; such foods have always come from Europe and the United States of America.
ECONOMIC IMPACT Severe malnutrition leads to stunted growth for young children, which impairs both physical and cognitive development. This consequently, not only strains a country’s public health system, but also undermines growth of a healthy population and productive labour force. Improving nutrition during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life can therefore significantly improve growth and cognitive development. AIF Rwanda is therefore playing a critical role in the economic development of Rwanda and the region through improved health. The company is also directly improving household incomes of maize and soya farmers who supply over 28,000 tons of maize and 11,000 tons of soya worth about $20 million for processing annually. Most of the produce is bought from Rwandan farmers whose incomes have gone up by 20%. The company works with about 9,000 farmers to produce the raw materials for the factory. AIF’s investment in Rwanda has opened new investment opportunities for commercial grain farmers. To ensure sustainable supply of the raw materials, the company needs large scale producers to supply the company with maize, soya and other cereals to sustain the big market for fortified foods. “The market for farm produce is guaranteed and the Government of Rwanda is ever willing to facilitate investors interested in commercial farming,” says JM Proper Ndayiragije, AIF Rwanda country manager. AIF is FSSC 22000 certified, the highest-level food safety system certification a food processing company can attain.
Address: Africa Improved Foods Rwanda Limited, P.O Box 766, Kigali, Rwanda, Kigali Special Economic Zone, Agri-Park, Silos Site, Plots No: E3 F2. Kigali, Rwanda.
Phone: (+250) 788 389516 Email: info@africaimprovedfoods.com Rwanda customer helpline - 1717
CONTACT US ON: +250782100304 Kigali-Rwanda
Airport - Apartments-
LOCATION Kanombe Road Near Kigali International Airport
CONSERVING Akagera Akagera National Park, now home to Africa’s big five animals i.e, the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the rhinoceros and the buffalo is one of the most scenic parks, characterized by rolling hills of acacia bush with panoramic views across a mosaic of swamp-fringed lakes. It is also one of Africa’s oldest parks, proclaimed in 1934, Akagera celebrated 80 Years of Conservation in 2014. Its long history is one of ups and downs. Historical descriptions of Akagera paint a picture of a biblical Garden of Eden of some sorts. When the park was established, it stretched over an expansive 2,500 square kilometres incorporating some of the most diverse environments in the region and wildlife was abound. As late as 1990, the park was home to 10,000 head of buffalo, 30,000 impala and some 300 lions. However, the genocide of 1994 wiped out some of the animal population in the park and once the resettling of returning Rwandans commenced after the genocide, some of the land that part of the Akagera National Park was excised to settle the returnees. Before this time, Akagera took up about ten per cent of the total land cover in Rwanda. The human resettlement in the Akagera National Park led to an increase in human-wildlife conflict that led to the total elimination of the lion population in the park by the year 2000. The park was re-gazetted to just over 1,000 square kilometers. However, Akagera continued to struggle with poaching,
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human-wildlife conflicts, degraded land from over-grazing and exotic species introduced through human habitation. Few tourists were visiting Akagera and the park was struggling. In 2010 the Akagera Management Company (AMC), a joint venture between the Rwanda Development Board and the African Parks Network, assumed management of Akagera National Park. In terms of a 20 year management agreement, AMC has the aim to restore, develop and manage Akagera National Park as a functioning savannah ecosystem through biodiversity rehabilitation, sound conservation practices and tourism development. In the past five years significant steps have been made towards achieving this goal.
LAW ENFORCEMENT Initially the focus for the project was on developing the foundations for effective and efficient management of the park. Major investments in capital expenditure were made on infrastructural developments including a fully functioning workshop and storage facility, new offices, law enforcement block, staff housing and renovations to existing facilities. The headquarters were fenced and vehicles and machinery purchased, including four landcruisers, ten motorbikes, three boats, one tractor and a grader.
Law enforcement and the protection of the park has been a priority. New rangers were employed with the total number of rangers now at 43. Professional intensive anti-poaching training has been conducted on two occasions and equipment, including new uniforms, communication systems, tents and patrol equipment, has been provided. The changes among the law enforcement team has, and continues to, yield positive results and this can be seen by an increased arrest rate, greater patrol coverage, regular recovery of snares and a great reduction in number of poached animals.
FENCING OFF THE PARK
The fence has already provided positive impacts in reducing human wildlife conflicts on the edge of the park as well as on poaching within the park boundary. The fence, and testing of the line, was a prerequisite for any re-introductions. In early 2014, predator proofing modifications were made in preparation for the lions increasing the height and adding additional off-set live wires. The communities surrounding Akagera are vital to the success of the park and they must experience tangible benefits from the park’s existence. Local employment is one of the major direct benefits with around 200 people employed at any one time for activities within the park from construction to conservation activities. Akagera also contributes to the national revenue sharing scheme which sees five per cent of its revenue put aside for community development, including cooperatives such as milk collection centres, women’s craft and cultural centres and bee-keeping projects as well as the development of community infrastructure
DESTINATION RWANDA
In 2013, the 110km western boundary fence was completed and handed over to AMC for management. AMC recruited 42 fence attendants to be responsible for the daily monitoring and maintenance of the fence line. The fence attendants walk between 9 attendant’s houses along the fence line, checking every inch of the line on a daily basis.
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including schools and clinics. An additional five per cent of revenue is contributed to the government Special Guarantee Fund, which is in place to compensate for cased of humanwildlife conflict on the boundary of national parks. Alongside this, environmental education among local school is seen as vital in creating support from the local community and ensuring the long-term survival of the park. Each year more than 1,300 local students are supported to visit Akagera. And on-going community sensitization programmes are conducted, such as regular open-air screenings of conservation documentaries and conservation-related plays performed by local organisations and school drama groups. With the primary purpose being the conservation of the park, land management initiatives such as the implementation of an annual fire management programme, programmes to remove exotic and invasive species and aerial surveys to monitor wildlife populations have begun. The 2013 aerial census showed a significant increase in wildlife populations from the 2010 census, with almost 8,000 animals counted.
BIG FIVE
Other recent tourism developments include the construction of new entrance gate, a new Visitor Centre Reception with an education space, curio shop and cafĂŠ. Renovations to campsite to include BBQs and water harvesting. Guides have been trained in interpretive guiding, content training and first aid, along with over 70 park employees to be trained in first aid in 2014. A Community Freelance Guides system has been implemented to build community engagement and allow people living on the boundary of the park and opportunity to share in the park progress and tourism development with tangible benefits. New recreational activities such as night drives and boat trips have been introduced to enhance the visitor experience. The process for a concession in the park and the development for a five star lodge is underway, to diversify the accommodation options available. AMC have developed the 20-bed Ruzizi Tented Lodge, due to its success in the first year, it was expanded with an additional family tent and a luxury tree-top tent in 2014. All profits from Ruzizi go back into the management of the park.
DESTINATION RWANDA
With the fence in place, and the aerial census work showing positive growth of wildlife numbers in Akagera, the wildlife re-introduction programme began in 2015. The programme started with the return of the lions and was later followed by the re-intorudction of the black rhinos. Lion have been extinct in Akagera for almost 15 years, and the last rhino sighting was in 2007. The re-introduction of these two species completes the ‘Big 5’ status for Akagera National Park.
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Tracking
CHIMPS Mountain gorilla tracking is by far the most motivating factor for people to visit Rwanda. Known for her conservation innovation initiatives, Rwanda took a deliberate decision to increase gorilla tracking permits from 750$ to 1500$ for all visitors so as to insure sustainability, visitors’ experience and economically empower communities living near the park Nyungwe Forest offers a somewhat similar experience but this time tracking a different kind of primate – cheeky chimpanzees. While the similarities go as far as trekking in dense forest cover, tracking chimpanzees is a totally different experience from tracking mountain gorillas. This is because unlike mountain gorillas which are in most cases stationary with limited movement, chimpanzees are smaller in size and are incredibly active primates. They are constantly on the move and when they do, it is at lighting speed. They jump from one tree to another and the entire forest echoes from the noise that they generate. Trackers are allowed only one hour with the mountain gorillas, but there seems to be no time limit with the chimpanzees because keeping up with them is a challenge. Nyungwe Forest has numerous other primates, but it is the chimpanzees that are one of the biggest attraction. There are about thirteen primate species in the forest with the chimpanzees numbering about 500 individuals. Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe starts off from three reception areas. These include Uwinka, Kitabi and Gisakura from where visitors are met by park rangers for a briefing before heading off into the forest in search of man’s closest cousin. Like mountain gorillas, chimps nest every night, this somewhat makes tracking them easier as there are trackers stationed in the forest that watch over them and give a location sighting to the ranger
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guides coming into the forest with the visitors. Chimpanzees have a much stronger human instinct than mountain gorillas. The are also incredibly shy when they come face to face with their human cousins. However, this shyness comes with a great sense of mischief. As visitors draw closer to them, they make incredible noise that reverberates across the entire forest. The noise is both in the form of excitement and their own communication. They communicate amongst themselves through loud hoots and booms. They display a high level of curiosity when visitors draw close to them. One of the habituated groups to track in Nyungwe is closer to the Uwinka side of the forest. This group has about 60 individuals. The other group is closer to the Cyamudongo side and has about 30 individuals. Like tracking the gorillas, visitors are allowed a maximum of one hour with the chimps. However, this is sometimes difficult because of their constant movement. Tracking chimpanzees needs one to be physically fit as the walking can be longer and also because of the pace at which one must walk to keep up with the agile primates. This is unlike tracking mountain gorillas which varies from easy to long treks in the forest. You also get more choice as there are 12 habituated groups of mountain gorillas. Chimpanzee tracking permits cost only US$100, which is considerably less than the those of mountain gorillas. There are only eight chimps tracking permits issued per day. Combining mountain gorilla and chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda competes a wonderful primate experience each with its own uniqueness.
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GORILLA TOURISM wiping out poverty in Rwanda
However, thanks to concerted national and cross-border wildlife conservation efforts, the mountain gorillas are today protected and are thriving in their natural habitat within the Virunga cross-border conservation area. For every mountain gorilla permit that is purchased in either Rwanda, Uganda and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, a fraction of the amount goes to the local community to facilitate the development of the communities in form of better roads, better schools and healthcare facilities. The percentage of the proceeds that goes back to the community varies from one country to another. In Rwanda, the local community gets up to ten per cent of the earnings. This is evenly distributed to ensure that the community gets maximum benefit from this. This has created a sense of ownership from the local communities as they can see tangible benefits to mountain gorilla tourism that trickles down to their villages. Aside from this, the local communities are benefiting immensely from gorilla tourism through a number of ways.
These include:
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Many people have been employed within the gorilla tourism sub-sector both directly and in-directly. Some of these include former poachers and traders of game-meat who are now ranger guides and trackers that help visitors have a rewarding experience with the mountain gorillas. Others include porters and game wardens at the park headquarters. The ripple effect of gorilla tourism has seen a rapid development of hotels and lodges around the Volcanoes National Park and in the nearby Musanze town. This has created hundreds of job opportunities for the people in this region who are directly employed in these hotels, camps and lodges. The resultant supply chain that is created by the development of these properties creates more job opportunities. This is in addition to the hundreds of driver guides employed by tour companies and hotels.
CULTURAL TOURISM Showcasing the very best of Rwandan cultural heritage is yet another additional product that has developed out of the
DESTINATION RWANDA
Mountain gorillas were an endangered species. Endangered because they suffered from the trade of bush meat and got entangled in snares that maimed them or killed them. They also faced a challenge due to habitat loss due to expanding communities. The socio-political instability in the region also meant that they faced danger from the fighting that ensued.
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gorilla tourism in the area. This includes village tours and culture talks and dances with the local people.
well-being of the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda. This is a critical component of gorilla tourism in Rwanda. Their main duties include:
Kwita Izina is an annual gorilla-naming ceremony. This is by far the largest and most important wildlife conservation event in Rwanda. This is to not only name baby gorillas born within the year, but to also celebrate wildlife and environmental conservation. It is a platform that affords local and international wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to take stock of conservation efforts made. The annual event takes place in September every year in Kinigi, the park headquarters of the Volcanoes National Park. Every year, the honour of naming baby gorillas is given to local and international persons of repute and good standing. To underline the importance of this event and the overall conservation of mountain gorillas and their habitat, Rwandan President Paul Kagame graces the event. The number of gorilla babies named at each event varies depending on the number of gorillas born during the year.
GORILLA DOCTORS The mountain gorilla doctors are some of the unsung heroes of mountain gorilla conservation efforts in Rwanda. This is a dedicated team of professionals tasked with looking after the
• Monitoring the health of each gorilla and helping to detect any disease or injury. • Providing treatment to any ill gorilla in the wild. • Rescuing and providing veterinary care to injured and orphaned gorillas. • Conducting post-mortem reports of deceased gorillas to find out the cause of their death and learn how to prevent it in the future. • Preserving biological samples (for example; blood, faeces) to be used by researchers investigating primate health issues around the world. • Offering preventative healthcare to the dedicated park employees who protect the gorillas in the forest, the local community surrounding the gorilla park and their livestock as a strategy to reduce the risk of disease transmission from humans to gorillas. The gorilla doctors work hand-in-hand with the wildlife conservation authorities in Rwanda and neighbouring Uganda and with international conservation organisations such as International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
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KWITA IZINA
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eat out kigali 76
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BRIOCHE tasty pastries It is not common for a Rwandan company to export finished products to a more advanced Kenya market because of obvious reasons: The prohibitive cost of transporting some raw materials from the coast to Rwanda and moving products back to Kenya makes it difficult for Rwandan products to compete in the Kenyan market. BRIOCHE Ltd, a local pastry producer, has managed overcome all these challenges and is exporting various types of bread, cakes and other pastries to Kenya, East Africa’s biggest economy. BRIOCHE’s ability to penetrate the Kenyan market is based on Rwanda’s national strategy that seeks to compete on quality rather than quantity on the regional and international market. “The customers are happy with the quality of our products; more than what they get locally in Kenya. In most cases, our competitors in Kenya and even here in Rwanda, are importers of products from Europe; they are not local producers. It is true that in Kenya the economy is advanced with bigger purchasing power; but when we studied the market, we realized that there was a gap between the sophistication of the demand and the standards of the local supplies,” says Jean-Philippe Kayobotsi, cofounder of the company. BRIOCHE was founded by Mr Jean-Philippe Kayobotsi and Ms Alice Van Mierlo in 2012, but started operations in 2013. Since then, the
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The company that started with only eight workers, currently employs 75 people in production, marketing and administration. All the employees have received their training on the job, having joined the company with no skills in what they do.
SMOOTH INVESTMENT CLIMATE Taking advantage of Rwanda’s strategic location, Kayobotsi and Mierlo are pushing for regional market expansion. They are already seeing success with successful exports to Kenya and testing of the Ugandan market. “We are in very early stages of developing the Ugandan market; we have exported once as a way of testing this market as push for expansion in the region using Rwanda’s strategic location,” says Kayobotsi. Rwanda offers a good business environment to support the company’s regional market expansion. “Rwanda’s business environment is very good. Even though the whole region is improving the doing business environment, I think Rwanda is improving faster—all administrative procedures at Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Revenue
Authority, Rwanda Social Security Board are smooth. I don’t think that there are many countries like that yet,” says Kayobotsi. Indeed the demand for BRIOCHE products is growing in Rwanda and in the region despite the challenges associated with producing from a landlocked country. “It was quite surprising for us as well…. but, yes, certain things are possible. The lesson for Rwandan producers is that well, the economy is not yet advanced, but if you find the right angle, you can do things that are not yet being done in other countries,” he said. According to Kayobotsi, it is easy for a customer in Kenya or Uganda to believe that a Rwandan company can make high quality products because of the international reputation Rwanda has attained as a clean country with efficient services.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Like other investors in food processing, BRIOCHE sees investment opportunities in packaging. “The packaging industry is still nascent in Rwanda; it is not very competitive and does not offer a wide variety for the local market, but especially for export. Exports require very good packaging,” says Mierlo. That means the packaging industry remains open to new investors to meet the growing demand from local producers.
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company has experienced rapid expansion from one outlet to four in Kigali and two in Nairobi, Kenya. This is in addition to a number of business-to-business customers that include hotels, restaurants and supermarkets.
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GOOD SHEPHERD COMMUNITY C h u r c h ravaged by the genocide.
The fruits of this gospel of peace and reconciliation have indeed matured. “There has been reconciliation; we have seen people who participated in genocide living in harmony with survivors. People in the communities are working together in harmony because they have heard the gospel, the word of God.” And for this reconciliation to happen, there was need for people to reconcile with God first; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19.
Pastor Nziramakenga Simon
CHURCH PROJECTS
“I thank God for helping us to accomplish a lot of things in the past 24 years; we praise God for our peaceful nation and its exemplary good governance. As church leaders, our work is to share the gospel that preaches peace and reconciliation.”
Good Shepherd Community Church is one of the very first Evangelical indigenous churches to set up in Rwanda soon after the end of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. Its growth over the decades from a small congregation to the biggest church building in the country is testimony to the freedom of worship that flourishes in post-genocide Rwanda.
Pastor Nziramakenga is aware that reconciliation alone may not lead to transformation of the nation that suffered decades of divisionism and various forms of segregation. As such educating the young generation is one important programme undertaken by the Nyarutarama-based Church. The best practice of helping children to grow healthier physically and spiritually is a good example drawn from Jesus who ‘increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man,’ Luke 2:52. “[…] we have a primary school to educate children who are growing to be future leaders. About 5,000 children have received education in our school since it started. The school performs well in national examination.”
The main vision of the school initiation was to help children from poor families and orphans. Today this school comes among excellent primary schools in Gasabo District; that’s why good hearted and well wishers are welcome to support its vision. Good Shepherd Community Church has also constructed a hospital to treat diseases affecting the communities as part of its goal to deal with the two main impediments to social transformationdisease and ignorance. The inaugural ceremonies of that hospital located at Nyarutarama will be carried out very soon. “All these developments have been made possible because of peace, security and stability that give us space to do what God called us to do”.
CHALLENGE Children who attend Good Shepherd Primary School are prone to quality and sustainable education. Thus, there is a need to expand more rooms, library construction and computers, suing sets, school van, foot ball pitch, etc. In the future, the school is also planning to build a secondary school in order to help students grow consistently. “We welcome those who want to complement our efforts in educating the children of Rwanda.”
Pastor Nziramakenga Simon, the founder of Good Shepherd Community Church, says this freedom of worship was necessary to reconcile and heal a nation
Contact: Tel:+250 788522576 E-mail:gscckigali@gmail.com
P.o Box:1520 Kigali. Near MTN Centre, Nyarutarama
Facebook page:Good Shepherd Community Rwanda. You tub Chanel :goodshepherd kigali Instagram:good shepherd community church.
Established in Rwanda since 2004, Davis and Shirtliff is an international company specializing in water and energy solutions for Africa. The company’s commitment in the provision of water and energy solutions is based on the basic principle that the two are very crucial sectors in economic development of any country. In Africa where agriculture, is the main economic activity, production takes a major hit because the rains are unpredictable. This leads to crop failure and loss of agricultural production.
Founded in Kenya in 1946, Davis & Shirtliff’s commitment to solve Africa’s major production constraints has seen the
company spread its services to Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. In Rwanda, the company increased its foot-print with a fully-fledged branch in Rubavu.
The company chose to invest in Rwanda, to not only take of an enabling investment climate put in place by the government but to also help empower the local people with simple and affordable water and energy solutions to support Rwanda’s fast-growing economy.
AVAILABLE PRODUCTS Davis & Shirtliff has a whole range of innovative products and services to cater for needs of domestic, commercial and institutional users. These include:
Water pumps
Borehole pumps
Swimming pool inputs
Waste water treatment
Solar energy solutions
Irrigation equipment
Davis and Shirtliff is a reliable partner in the supply of water treatment solutions for homes, schools and industries among others, using simple and affordable techniques. One such technique is the chemical-free water treatment for homes, schools and relief missions. In line with current trends that emphasize use of green and renewable energy, Davis and Shirtliff have solar water heaters that are ideal for institutional and domestic users who are keen on keeping energy costs low. One of the company’s revolutionary innovations is the solar-powered irrigation equipment, ideal for rural farming communities seeking to produce all throughout the year by reducing dependence on rain-fed farming at a minimum cost. Application of this technology is helping farmers produce more for increased household incomes and food security.
According to Wanene, support services are also available from government agencies and relevant institutions such the Private Sector Federation (PSF) that make it easy for any investor to start and operate a business.
WHY INVEST IN RWANDA “Rwanda has a supportive doing business environment that enables easy compliance with statutory obligations such as declaration and payment of taxes that can now be done online,” explains Mr Joseph Wanene, the country manager Davis and Shirtliff Rwanda. When it comes to formulating policies that have a direct impact on business, the government engages stakeholders by seeking their input. The fact that authorities involve investors when formulating policies creates an atmosphere of dialogue.
Rwanda, like most African countries enjoys yearround sunshine that can be used on solar-powered equipment. To enable the adoption of such technologies, the Government of Rwanda has abolished taxes on solar equipment. Explains Wanene: “Such policies go a long way into not only lowering the cost of the equipment that we supply to the market, but empower the citizens because with solar water pumps, they can produce more food which translates to income for the household as they can sell the surplus to the market. Moreover, solar energy gives the rural folk reliable lighting solutions while for industries and private residences, it provides them with clean hot water.”
Contacts: Muhima Rd
Kigali Rwanda Joseph Wanene +250 788 389 755 +250252504039 Email: kigali@dayliff.com
Some Davis and shirtliff’s Products
THE LEADER IN WATER & ENERGY SOLUTIONS
CULINARY journey in Kigali
Travel without food is no travel at all. Kigali, like every other vibrant cities offers a host of options. The city has numerous restaurants that come in all shapes and sizes; from fast food outlets to fine dining restaurants and everything in between, Kigali has food catering to every taste and pocket. We sample some of these outlets.
Choma’d As the name suggests, this place does meat. The name is derived from the Swahili word that means roasting. They have a nice menu with a variety of meaty dishes on offer as well as a full bar and a pretty wonderful atmosphere, both day and night. However they don’t serve goat nyama choma, based on their name, but what they do have is quite delicious. The meaty menu ranges from pork ribs to chicken. Choma’d is the only place you can find macaroni and cheese in Kigali. They have a Mac n’ Cheese bowl that comes with a nice accent of pepper. This is a great place to come with friends as they also have a variety of platter options. The place comes to live in the evenings. They have a great menu of nine creative cocktails served in mason jars and they’re one of the few places in Kigali that has a menu for shooters. Choma’d seems to be a popular hang out spots for young, trendy, Rwandans. They run a happy hour every day from 4 to 6pm on cocktails. Then they have a full menu of beer, a few wine choices, and spirits.
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Java House
Habesha
Java House has taken up residence at Kigali Heights, the flashy new mall and office space building across from the Kigali Convention Centre.
Ethiopian food is increasingly becoming poplar, both in the region and internationally. This has seen Ethiopian restaurants sprout everywhere. Add to the fact that Ethiopian food is comes in different shades, colours and aromas and you have a winning combination.
Java House joins in the growing list of eateries across Kigali. They are very popular in Kenya. They are perched in a corner on the second floor of Kigali Heights with plenty of partially covered patio space as well as a good amount of seating indoors. Like most of their outlets in Nairobi, they have made provisions for booths which is, awesome. The atmosphere is nice and it’s always bustling with people. Java House does breakfast very well. It is probably the best place in Kigali to have breakfast. They have eggs every which way, bagels with cream cheese, yoghurt and granola, French toast, pancakes, a bunch of sausage and bacon options, breakfast burritos and even Huevos Rancheros. They have a pretty much comprehensive menu with lots of Mexican food options. While prices at Java House are surely on the higher side, the servings are absolutely massive and many of the dishes could easily be shared between two people.
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Habesha is a relatively new Ethiopian place on the Kigali scene. It joins the Lalibela in Kigali. Habesha offers a hassle-free lunch or dinner. The service is friendly and laid back while still managing to get the food and drinks out without any problems. The food comes quickly and it’s always hot and delicious. While the injera here is a shade lighter than the injera in Ethiopia, it is still delicious. Doro wat is one of the signature Ethiopian dishes. It is very populatr in Ethiopia and is mainly served during special occassions. The Habesha in Kigali serves this dish as part of the meat platter.
Trophy’s Sports Lounge
Kiseki
Trophy’s Sports Lounge was recently started by a group of friends with entertainment, design, and hospitality backgrounds. The concept to come up with Trophy’s came up due to a gap in the Kigali market, and a city in need of a good quality bar, excellent cocktails, and plentiful sports viewing options.
Kiseki is a place that’s all about enjoying a great meal, sipping on some sake, and soaking up the relaxed atmosphere over a long, unhurried dinner.
In addition to custom cocktails, Trophy’s offers both traditional menu options as well as Rwandan oriented drinks, as part of their mission to incorporate Rwandan flavors and ingredients into their beverages and ethos. The Amavubi Magic, is one such drink. It comes with the colours of the Rwandan flag. There is also the passionfruit mojito that uses actual passion fruit from Rwandan farms. And of course, there is the Trophy’s Dawa, made up of spiced rum, cinnamon syrup, ginger extract, and lime juice, is really excellent for all occasions. It’s fresh, and the real ginger used gives it a nice kick.
If sushi is not a favourite, Kiseki offers a wide selection of meat and veggies. There is the classic Japanese dish of Karaage fried chicken, veggies with sesame seeds, fried rice with vegetables and egg. They also have a range of rolls to choose from. These include California, crispy shrimp, Karaage chicken, crab stick and vegetable. There are also tuna, salmon, and scallop sashimi rolls.
Hours: Lunch - 12pm – 5pm Dinner - 6pm – 11pm (Last order at 10pm) Closed on Mondays
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Trophy’s has also been working at marketing themselves as a pre-party bar, or a place to meet a friend for a drink after work or on the way to another event. They close earlier than other bars and clubs.
The teppanyaki tables are on full display and the chef works from a station inside where diners can see him do his thing. Mio, the owner, is always on hand to answer any questions and to give that extra feeling of being welcome.
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Herocean Rwanda Ltd
Herocean Rwanda Ltd, manufacturers of Dragon corrugated iron sheets, is only 27 months-old in the business, but the rate at which the company is expanding has surpassed expectations of even its founders.
The General Manager, Mr Tang Peng, attributes this first growth to the high quality of products the company makes, a motivated sales team and above all the “good and clear” policies and regulations in Rwanda. “Our products are of very high quality, our marketing team is professional in the way they handle clients and Rwanda has very good and clear regulations. Nobody will disturb you as long as you comply with regulations,” he said. Herocean Rwanda Ltd is one of the over 30 subsidiaries of Herocean Supply Management Group with its headquarters in Shanghai, China. In Africa, the Group operates in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, DR Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mozambique and Rwanda.
Kigali Special Economy Zone +250 783 053 154 +250 787 300 204 +250 785 019 858
Herocean Rwanda Ltd is a leading manufacturer of roofing iron sheets under the Dragon brand and PVC ceiling materials and accessories. It uses raw materials manufactured by its sister company in Tanzania. All Herocean Rwanda products are certified by Rwanda Standards Board.
and the economy would be more advanced than all regional neighbours,” he says.
The company that has been in operation since November 2015 employs 50 people in production, sales and administration but the number will more than double as the company embarks on an expansion drive.
Herocean Rwanda offers clients free delivery of bulk purchases and a five-year guarantee on iron sheets. “We encourage our customers to keep all the documents such as purchase orders and payment receipts so that in case of any defect, we give them new products and deliver free of charge,” says Peng.
Since it opened doors to business, the company has registered more than doubled growth in production, sales and revenue, thanks to the good investment climate in the country. As a result of the good doing business environment in the country, Herocean Rwanda is on an expansion drive with focus on producing for the regional export market and reaching more domestic consumers. In July, the company launched its second factory in Rwanda in the Northern Province district of Musanze. This is in addition to new showrooms and distribution outlets in various parts of the country. More outlets are scheduled to open in Rusizi, Rubavu, Muhanga and Huye. With eyes on the eastern DR Congo market, Herocean Rwanda is finalizing plans to build its third factory in Rusizi, specifically producing for exports. “Clients from DR Congo appreciate our products and are asking us to start exporting,” says Peng. Herocean Rwanda is also seeing new business opportunities outside roofing iron sheets. The company has acquired a second plot at the Kigali Special Economic Zone to build a factory for biodegradable bags. The new factory, according to Peng, will reduce pressure on forests due to heavy reliance on paper bags. All this expansion within a short time is because Rwanda is free of corruption, has clear import and tax policies, little bureaucracy and the government is willing to listen to investors and address their concerns, says Peng. “Compared with other countries I have worked in such as Saudi Arabia and Tanzania, Rwanda is the best to do business in because things are clear. If Rwanda had direct access to the sea, all investors would be flocking here
GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Herocean Group believes in sharing with its employees and the community. “We always take action to motivate our employees to grow together with the company and [continuously improve their lives] and look upon the company as an alternative family,” says Edward Son, Group president. Uwiringiyimana Sureyman, assistant sales manager, attests to this commitment: “I joined this company in 2016, and within the short time I worked here, I have been able to buy a plot and I will soon start developing it. I worked in several companies in the past, but the short time I have worked as a sales manager at Herocean, my life has changed significantly due to the good salary and other benefits,” he said. According to Peng, the company also wants to share with the community through donations and discounted prices to faith-based organisations like churches, schools and community projects.
MINIMEX
Reaping from Rwanda's visionary business environment Rwanda’s visionary business reforms have seen many businesses both local and international open shop in a bid to benefit from the investment opportunities available. The country is currently ranked second in Africa after Mauritius in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report.
of PRODEV was to create a supply link between Minimex and the local farmers and cooperatives.
Through this initiative, Minimex was able to obtain the required maize and at the same time supporting local farmers and cooperatives to expand their agricultural production.
Rwanda’s economic reforms such as easing the business registration, removing non-tariff trade barriers, opening its borders 24 hours through the one-stop border posts and many other reforms has seen many businesses start and expand, a fact that has continuously attracted foreign investors to prefer injecting their money in the country.
Coupled with the need to support maize farmers obtain ready market in 2007, and add value to the then locally unconsumed maize, Minimex started with buying the locally produced maize and milling it into maize flour, a fact that enabled a shift in the consumption of maize flour among Rwandans.
These major reforms have created an enabling economic environment for entrepreneurs to start investing and earning from their sweat. It is due to such favourable policies that a number of companies have oopted to set base in Rwanda. Minimex a maize milling company is one such company that took advantage of these policies to open shop in Rwanda.
Explains Mutabikanwa: “The government is well focused on the development of Rwandans thus ensuring and guaranteeing the wellbeing of the masses through financial empowerment, capacity building and many more initiatives such as reducing the costs of electricity that we need to process maize is also a contributing factor for growth not only Minimex but all factories and industries in general.
The company was founded in 2002 as a locally owned Rwandan company, before it commenced full operations in 2006. An additional foreign investment was made in 2011 by a European investor. The original investments made by Felicien Mutalikanwa and supported by local institutional investors have built the corner-stone of the high tech maize processing plant that has since then been on a rapid expansion drive. Jean Paul Mutabikanwa, a director at Minimex and the Managing Director of PRODEV Rwanda; notes that Minimex started small producing at a capacity of only 8% since obtaining maize at the time was very hard due to the low production levels. This saw the company set up sourcing company under the name PRODEV in 2008. The sole objective
“In addition, the economic stability and peace in the country meant that more and more buyers of our processed maize flour continued to flock our stores, a majority of them from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. Our growth has been facilitated by good government policies that encourage domestic investment and value addition to the agricultural products produced locally.” He said that both companies have been put under one roof into what is called Prodev Holdings Rwanda, due to the need to not only specialize in agricultural products, but also increase productivity and quality of their products in order to satisfy the existing market.
Po Box: 277 Kigali - Rwanda Nyandungu, Kicukiro District Tel: +250 783 755 058 +250 788 304 626 Email: info@minimex.co.rw Web: www.minimex.co.rw
The maize mill has an annual production capacity of 43,000 metric tons. It is equipped with state-of-the art machines from Buhler (Switzerland).
TRANSFORMING LIVES AND COMMUNITIES Currently, Minimex Ltd is the largest producer of fine maize products in Rwanda, producing at a capacity of 70% mainly dealing in maize flour. The company has further diversified to produce animal feeds whose current production stands at 20% and is projected to grow by between 22% to 25% every year. According to Mutabikanwa, the company has an existing joint venture with BRALIRWA (Bramin), one of Rwanda’s biggest beer brewers in Rwanda. Under this partnership, they now have more than 700 hectares of land in Kayonza District under maize production that is used for making local beer.
CLIENTS Minimex currently boasts a large market share in the Rwandan market. The firm also sells its products to global non-governmental organizations based in Rwanda, local governmental and non-governmental institutions, and directly to consumers in Rwanda and neighbouring countries, the brewing industry and to livestock farmers who particularly buy animal feeds. To solidify its market-leading position in Rwanda, the company ensures that it adheres to best business practices and quality assurance of its products right through from the farms to the factories. The company boasts an S-MARK certification from the Rwanda Standards Bureau (RSB). The company supports and encourages farmers to produce quality maize by strictly observing how they grow the maize on their farms, how the maize is stored and handled right through to the sale. Last year, Minimex bought more than 10,000 tons of maize from more than 22,000 local farmers and co-operatives.
With modern maize farming
One of the industry Part
MINIMEX maize store
MINIMEX products store
MINIMEX Headquarter
GATCO
Rwanda In 2014 when Tanzania-based GSM Group considered investing in Rwanda, the idea was distributing big brands such as Kilimanjaro Cement to serve Rwanda’s booming construction industry. After testing the investment climate of the country, the Group is decided to pursue its broader vision of manufacturing construction materials such steal and steal products using its subsidiary, GATCO Rwanda.
GATCO Rwanda entered the local market as a commercial wholesaler of Kilimanjaro Cement, operating in a small rented warehouse in Gikondo. The business quickly expanded to include distribution of two other brands of cement; Dangote and Twiga. Today, GATCO Rwanda has the capacity to deliver any amount of cement to a customer anywhere and at a competitive price. Rwanda’s fast growing construction industry supported the business and the company grew faster than anticipated. “Business started well because the market liked the products. So we decided to build our own place here at the Kigali Special Economic Zone in order to expand our operations. Our vision has grown from being just distributing to
manufacturing our own products because the business environment is good for us to pursue our vision,” says Mr Zayn Mohamed, the Business Manager, GATCO Rwanda. Rwanda’s national vision and development goals support GATCO’s long term plans, says Monamed. “Rwanda’s Vision 2020 is good for investors because the Government of Rwanda has a clear and well-articulated plan to promote exports by supporting local production,” he said. Under Vision 2020 and EDPRS II, Rwanda plans to increase value addition and increase exports by 28% per annum as part of the economic policies to propel the country to middle income status.
Mohamed believes that Vision 2020 is attainable because geographically, Rwanda is centrally located and therefore well position as a manufacturing hub for exports to the huge regional market. And the fact that HE Paul Kagame regularly interacts with investors make them feel appreciated by the highest office in the country. The assurance that comes with this presidential gesture gives them confidence that their issues can be heard. According to Mohamed, a simplified tax regime is supporting businesses to grow. “For example, e-tax has made it possible to declare and pay taxes online. We no longer waste time at RRA or in banks paying taxes; everything is done from the office,” he said. At the current pace of economic growth supported by regular business reforms and deregulation, Rwanda will become a business hub in a few years, says Mohamed. He cites on-going big investment in infrastructure such as roads, energy and easier business administrative process such as being able to register a company in one day, corruption free transactions and security as factors that will see Rwanda emerge as a business hub. “Rwanda is the most secure and safest country in the region; and that is a very important factor for any business to grow,” he said. The recent operationalization of one-stop-border posts has further improved business operation by making the movement of goods and people faster. Rusumo border with Tanzania, Kagitumba border post with Uganda and Nimba on the border with Burundi have one-stop-border operations whose simplified procedures resulted in a 25% reduction in clearing time by eliminating duplication of clearing processes. There are other pro-business developments such as the Electronic Single Window, which reduced the time to clear goods by 2.5 days, and reduction in transport time from 21 days to 8 days from Mombasa to Kigali.
Rwanda, P.O Box 6521, Kigali, Rwanda +250 782509404 +250 735464031 Email: info@gsmgroup.co.tz Website: www.gsmgroup.co.tz
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES GATCO Rwanda sees a lot of investment opportunities in logistics—bulk transportation of raw materials and goods. As a company involved in distribution, this logistics remains a big challenge. But for those considering investing in Rwanda, this is an investment opportunity.
Eden Business Centre: there’s Pride in Doing Business in Rwanda
To survive in the new world order – where emerging economies have been forced to open-up their doors to imports while export markets in developed economies remain under tight control – Rwanda, and Africa in general, must rise to the challenge of producing globally competitive products. This is according to Dr. Rekeraho Emmanuel, the Chief Executive Officer and the brain behind Eden Business Centre. In an exclusive interview with Destination Rwanda, Dr. Emmanuel set the case for Rwanda’s competitiveness in attracting and retaining investors and ease of doing business in the country. Drawing his experience and discipline largely from the military where he served in the Rwanda Defence Forces, Dr. Emmanuel states that Rwanda
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as a country needs to remain competitive and become a producer. Says he: “Rwanda has a lot of potential, but to maximize on this, we need to transform into a producer of goods and services and we can import only what we do not produce locally. Local production is key to not only transforming our economy, but it is the exports from our country that will help us create jobs in Rwanda and earn our country foreign exchange.” Dr. Emmanuel ventured into private business after retiring from the military. He has applied the resilience and the discipline that is associated with the military to his private business to enable it grow and expand into a multi-million-dollar business
it is today. While he had no prior experience in private business, he took the plunge and tasked himself to learn as much as he could. The long journey to transforming from a military officer to an industrialist started in neighbouring Burundi where he sought to gain knowledge in soap and soft-drinks manufacturing. At the time, Burundi had a more developed light manufacturing industry. Fired up and raring to achieve his vision, Dr. Emmanuel later travelled to Nairobi, Kenya where the manufacturing industry was much more developed than Burundi to enhance his knowledge and skills. He later travelled to other countries such as France, the Netherlands and Demark to expound on his knowledge. It was here that he got introduced to poultry farming, but at an advanced level. At this stage, he decided to return to Africa and apply some of the skills and knowledge he had acquired in his travels. Explains he: “At first, I settled in Uganda. This is where I started my soap and soft-drinks manufacturing business. I later expanded into the poultry farming business. But I still needed to acquire more knowledge and skills and this saw me go to India where the manufacturing base is much more developed.” On his return from India, he decided to set up base in his home country of Rwanda with the intention of producing quality products for the domestic market and expand into the regional economies. From his base in Rwanda, he would be able to generate employment for his people and thus contribute to nation-building as he had envisioned. Explains he: “Rwanda is still a developing economy. At the time of setting up my business here, the economy was still small and there were numerous challenges such as infrastructure, communications and even registering a business. But over the years, we have made giant strides as a nation. We have a rapidly expanding infrastructure network, an accountable government machinery and a pretty much straight-forward business environment. These factors are fundamental in business set-up and development.” The Government of Rwanda, he adds, is keen on growing the economy and has over the years made deliberate reforms so as to cut on government red-tape. They have done this by setting up a one-stop business registration centre at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). This has fast-tracked the process of business registration and acquisition of necessary permits to open-up virtually any form of business in Rwanda. In addition to this, Rwanda has a young, growing population that provides a ready market for products and services generated in the country. The young population also provides investors with a ready human-resource capital.
“The location of our country is also an important factor that investors need to consider when setting up business in Rwanda. This is because of the market access that one gets to the regional markets. As members of the East African Community, investors get access to the wider regional markets. This also includes the large, untapped market in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo which gets most of its imports through Rwanda,” adds he. According to Dr. Emmanuel, it is such opportunities that stared him in the face that made him make the decision to invest in Rwanda. “I returned to Rwanda to take advantage of all these. I armed myself with the skills and knowledge I had acquired in my travels abroad and came back to apply these to not only build my business, but to equip my own people with such knowledge and consequently, play my part in advancing our economy,” remarks Dr. Emmanuel. Aside from these, Dr. Emmanuel also credits the Government of Rwanda’s backed programme known as
Hangumurimo. The programme is aimed at helping local companies conduct a thorough market research and conduct an environmental impact assessment before setting up operations in the country. This enabled him to set up his first cosmetics manufacturing plant known as Ubwiza that makes cosmetics products for the domestic market from aloe vera extracts. These include Ubwiza herbal jelly, herbal lotion soap, beauty cream, skin softening and regeneration products. The factory is based in the Ruyenzi-Kamonyi district. From this humble beginning, his manufacturing base has continued to expand under the Eden Business Centre brand. The factory has since transformed and has adopted cutting-edge technology to run its operations and enhance manufacturing. Thanks to this, the factory is today run by highly skilled personnel that include locally trained technicians and engineers. Aside from the factory, the company has development marketing and distribution centres across Rwanda that have also created jobs in other parts of the country. These distribution centres are located Rubavu, Musanze and Nyagatare districts. This is in addition to the main Nyabugogo centre in Kigali city. Plans are to expand the business under the Made in Rwanda products to reach regional and international markets. The company, according to Dr. Emmanuel, is benchmarking with the best in the business and is keep on enhancing its manufacturing processes to achieve consistent results, generate high quality products and adopt new packaging technology and processes to remain competitive.
WATER Rwanda AID As the saying goes by “water is life and clean water means health� so is true to the mandate of Water Aid Rwanda that has been at the centre stage of a life-changing mission of providing local communities in Bugesera with access to clean water and sanitation since its establishment in 2010.
Water Aid Rwanda transforming lives through pro-poor of clean water and sanitation interventions
Being a semi-arid region, Bugesera district experiences severe and long-term droughts throughout the year, causing life threatening situations to residents and their animals. This means that the local authorities must intervene with life-saving programmes by providing food and water to the residents to mitigate against the adverse effects of the prolonged droughts. The consequences of this is that the local population are forced to draw water from the neighbouring lakes. They use the water for domestic purposes such as drinking, cooking, washing and watering their livestock. This comes at great safety and health costs. To start with, the nearby Lake Rweru is crocodile infested and therefore provides a great safety risk to the local population trying to draw water from the lake. Moreover, the water drawn from the lakes is untreated which leads to the spread of water borne diseases.
WATER AID EARLY DAYS It was against this background that Water Aid Rwanda and the government embarked on an elaborate programme geared towards provision of clean water for domestic use in the area. This programme goes hand-in-hand with a sanitation
campaign.
Maurice Kwizera, the country director of Water Aid Rwanda notes in an exclusive interview with Destination Rwanda that it is critical for a nation to have clean water and proper hygiene for its citizens. Water Aid Rwanda is working towards the realization of this objective. The organization has partnered with the Government of Rwanda and WASH in Bugesera district. According to Kwizera, this partnership has helped improve access to clean water to about 40,365 people, sanitation to about 10,295 people and hygiene to an estimated 45,000 people across the district. Moreover, under the programme, residents are sensitized on the need to better hygiene and sanitation through an elaborate communications campaign organized by the Community Based Environment Health Promotion Program (CBEHPP). Explains Kwizera: “Under this initiative, we have helped enhance the capacity in planning, coordination and monitoring of WASH services across the district. We have also successfully piloted several WASH technologies, drilling boreholes, household water and sanitation services, sanitation and hygiene in public places through the Community based Environmental Health Promotion Programme (CBEHPP).� Water Aid Rwanda has also participated in influencing
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national policies and plans such as the Water and Sanitation Corporation’s (WASAC) Performance Improvement Programme that includes the 2016 Water Leaders Award, supporting key national WASH events, WASH data harmonization, W&S Policy review and separation of the two policies as well as the agenda for Change/District Wide Approach adopted by government.
WATER AND SANITATION FACILITATE PRODUCTIVITY
Bugesera district, Compagnons Fontainiers du Rwanda (COFORWA) and like-minded organizations, purposely to enhance their interventions through implementation of the DWA for planning and coordination of WASH services, social mobilization as well as research and knowledge sharing. Water Aid, has previously invested Rwf3billion in all its water and sanitation projects such as Rweru Water Project that uses solar energy to pump water. The organization further plans to spend between Rwf6-8 billion for the next five years by extending their WASH services intervention to Nyamagabe district.
According to Kwizera, access to clean water, sanitation and better hygiene are key pillars in nation building and development as they are a precursor to a healthy population that is consequently productive.
In the course of the next five years, Water Aid Rwanda plans to achieve a number of objectives, key amongst these include:
Explains he: “No country can achieve its development target without a healthy population that is actively involved in production, thus the need for clean water and sanitation as a contributing factor in ensuring a healthy population.”
Improve the capacity of districts and service providers to sustainably provide and manage inclusive WASH services.
Aside from having a healthy population, clean water is also critical to other sectors of the economy such as manufacturing industries, agricultural production, hospitality and other sectors in business and commerce. Water is a scarce resource that needs to be utilized properly and to the maximum effect. Therefore, Water Aid Rwanda further engages residents on responsible ways of using it as well as water harvesting initiatives for use both in the household and for other purposes such as agriculture production. For large consumers of the resource, Water Aid Rwanda advocates for water recycling strategies that can have the water go through a purification system and have the water re-used for other purposes.
STRATEGIC MIX OF PARTNERSHIP AS THE KEY TO SUCCESS Since its establishment in Rwanda, WaterAid works closely with the government to ensure water and sanitation remain a development focus. The organization also closely works with local partners to build their capacity and reach deserving communities with life-changing WASH services. Among institutions and organizations that Water Aid Rwanda partners with include the Ministry of Infrastructure, WASAC, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the University of Rwanda-College of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Support the development of systems that allow for quality and timely information to inform decision making in WASH
Enhance participation of civil society, communities and the media in the realization of water, hygiene and sanitation as a human right. Strengthen collaboration with wider development stakeholders to establish processes and structures that support and promote integration of WASH in a wider development agenda. Strengthen the sector resource management and financing mechanisms to address WASH needs in a sustainable and equitable manner. Explains Kwizera: “By 2030, Water Aid Rwanda’s work will be built on three independent levels – the community, district and national levels. We have designed the programmes to address gaps in three niche areas: improving institutional capacity to deliver inclusive and sustainable WASH services, support mechanisms for sector performance monitoring for accountability in the provision of WASH services and the integration and cross sector collaboration for sustainability of WASH through a sector wide approach to joint planning, implementation, monitoring and learning for the provision of WASH services at all levels.” The Rwandan government plans to achieve 100% access to clean water, sanitation and improved hygiene behaviours by 2020. The country is well on its way with 84% of households using water from improved source and 83% using improved sanitation facilities.
There are very few foreign investors who can tell the story of Rwanda’s continuously improving investment climate like Mr Mazen A. Dakik, the managing director of Adma International Ltd, the leading producers of biscuits in Rwanda. Mr Dakik has done business in Rwanda since 1995, only a year after the end of the Genocide against the Tutsi. He has therefore seen it all. Even amidst the rubble of the genocide, Dakik had faith in Rwanda as an investment destination under new leadership. His prediction came true when the country
embarked on a rigorous reform process to improve the investment climate under President Paul Kagame. In 2002, Adma International opened a biscuits manufacturing plant in Gikondo, producing some of the finest brands of biscuits on the Rwandan market. Taking advantage of the country’s good investment climate, Adma International has expanded and currently operates a modern factory at the Kigali Special Economic Zone.
Today, the company is one of the biggest investors in the country, producing 28 different brands of biscuits that include Riham Biscuits, its flagship product. The company also makes a special type of biscuits exclusively for Rwanda National Police. With a total workforce of 440 people, Adma International is one of the big employers and taxpayers in the country with annual turnover of Rwf42.2 billion (US$48 million). Most of the workforce (70%) is female - a deliberate company policy aimed at giving employment opportunities to vulnerable women and girls, especially in packing products. “We chose to employ people instead of machines or robots because we want to give Rwandans a chance to earn a living. If we were to use machines, very many people would be made jobless,” notes Juliet, the human resources manager at Adma International. Several factors influenced the decision by Adma International to invest in Rwanda and the subsequent rapid growth of the business, but security, a stable macroeconomic environment, availability of young and dynamic labour force and supportive government investment policies, are amongst “Declaring the key reasons. “Every investor looks out for competitive and/ or cheaper costs of production; Rwanda has qualified people willing to work, a good road network for easy access to the markets and reliable water and electricity supply. This makes the country good for business,” says Dakik.
and paying taxes has been made easier by Rwanda Revenue Authority. All can be done online; we no longer have to spend hours at RRA to declare or pay taxes,” says Juliet.
According to him, it is always easy to set up business in Rwanda as getting all the paperwork takes just a few hours. The government commitment to facilitate investment through provision of fully serviced land in planned industrial parks such as the Kigali Special Economic Zone enables investors such as Adma International to operate with ease.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES According to Juliet, there are plenty of business opportunities available in the country that can benefit from the ready market created by existing processors and manufactures such as Adma International. One such business opportunities are in the area of packaging. Adds she: “The market is in dire need for manufacturing of packaging materials. There are some already in that business but they cannot give us the quantities and the variety that we need. I challenge any investor out there reading this and is in the packing industry to come over to Rwanda and see the opportunities that are available.”
ADMA International Ltd PO Box 3560 Gikondo Industrial Area, Kigali-Rwanda Kicukiro Âť Kigali city Tel: +250 788 307 171
BAHO INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL Baho Polyclinic KN 4Av 36 Kiyovu, Kigali 1st Plot Before CHUK, Hotline 3130 Baho International Hospital is the second branch located in Kigali, at Nyarutarama, Gasabo district, KG9 AV42 about 100 meters from MTN center. This one was inaugurated since December 2016.
Our Services GYNECOLOGY PEDIATRY RADIOLOGY INTERNAL MEDICINE SURGERY THEATER INTENSIF CARE UNIT & EMERGENCIES HOSPITALISATION DENTAL SERVICE LABORATORY PHYSIOTHERAPY SURGERY HOSPITALIZATION MATERNITY PEDIATRIC NEONATOLOGY INTENSIVE CARE UNIT LABORATORY STOMATOLOGY PHYSIOTHERAPY
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Contact us on : +250 537915, +250 784093490
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KINAZI CASSAVA PLANT Quality , fine cassava flour Kinazi Cassava Plant Ltd (KPC), launched about five years ago, was conceived by the Government of Rwanda as a way of adding value to the large and growing cassava production in the country. The latest technology for milling, processing and distributing of high quality flour in Rwanda and exports to neighboring countries, the European Union and USA markets.
KPC is an integrated company covering all aspects of cassava value chain, from developing farmer capacity, processing and to packaging the flour to the comfort of all our trading partners The
factory is located in Kinazi Sector, Ruhango district in the Southern province.
The major product is quality cassava flour, processed from freshly harvested cassava tubers. The plant processes an average of 30 tonnes of cassava flour per day. Cassava flour is used as raw material for many products like biscuits, cake, bread, beer, among others. KCP’s high quality product has increased demand for cassava flour in Rwandan and abroad— with growing exports to North America, Europe and West Africa. The good response from the market is because the product meets both the CODEX and individual European and North American food quality standards. At Kinazi, we are committed to increase farmers’ yields so as to boost their domestic income. The company also serves as surety for cassava farmers who need to access bank loans. There are over 5,000 farmers working in nine cooperatives who are being facilitated to access to credit from financial institutions like banks who find it safer to lend to organized groups with strong business plans.
CONTACTS KINAZI CASSAVA PLANT LTD P.O. Box 6359, Kigali-Rwanda, Tel: +250 788 300 435 Web: www.kcp.rw
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