Traders from throughout Africa and past have explored alternatives in Rwanda’s manufacturing, agro-processing, espresso, vitality, know-how, healthcare, mining and logistics sectors throughout Fairness Group’s 2026 Commerce and Funding Roadshow.
Greater than 70 enterprise leaders, buyers, policymakers and private-sector representatives from 10 nationalities participated within the roadshow, which concluded its Rwanda programme with a enterprise roundtable on September 18.
The initiative linked buyers with native companies and supplied first-hand insights into Rwanda’s funding setting and alternatives for capital, know-how, expertise and partnerships.
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Manufacturing and worth addition provide room for funding
Jean Paul Bazihana, Commerce Cluster consultant at PSF, mentioned Rwanda has room for funding in manufacturing, together with clothes and textiles, development supplies, furnishings, electronics and automotive elements.
“There may be nonetheless quite a bit to do,” he informed contributors, pointing to alternatives in manufacturing and worth addition.
He additionally cited agro-processing alternatives in tea, horticulture, dairy, meat, spices and honey, alongside espresso.
Infrastructure, significantly warehouses and amenities serving industrial parks, particular financial zones and rising city centres, is one other space with funding potential.
Different alternatives embody renewable vitality, ICT, healthcare, agricultural know-how, mining and logistics. In mining, Bazihana mentioned, larger focus is required on processing minerals domestically.
“Mineral worth addition is basically essential and wanted to be tackled in our nation,” he mentioned. “Rwanda produces uncooked supplies that may provide larger financial worth if processed domestically.”
Regional markets add to Rwanda’s funding attraction
Bazihana urged buyers to view Rwanda not solely as a home market but additionally as a base for accessing regional markets.
“An investor mustn’t take a look at Rwanda solely as a market of roughly 14 million folks, however as a strategic alternative to ascertain in Rwanda and use the nation as a platform for entry to regional markets,” he mentioned.
Rwanda’s membership of the East African Group (EAC), participation in wider African commerce preparations, digital infrastructure, funding incentives and particular financial zones help its potential as a regional enterprise base, he mentioned.
Rwanda registered $2.62 billion value of investments throughout 799 initiatives in 2025, in accordance with the Rwanda Growth Board (RDB), illustrating the size of capital already flowing into the financial system.
Investor help stays key
Divine H. Nakanyange, Head of Particular Financial Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR) and Export Facilitation at RDB, mentioned the establishment helps buyers navigate the method of building and increasing companies.
She mentioned RDB connects buyers with related establishments, supplies info on laws and incentives, helps determine appropriate places and affords help after institution.
“Firm registration in Rwanda takes a most of six hours,” she mentioned. “Aftercare groups proceed to help buyers as they implement, broaden and discover new alternatives.”
Fairness commits to serving to buyers entry enterprise alternatives
Eric Rutabana, Business Director at Fairness Financial institution Rwanda, mentioned the financial institution combines monetary options with its regional presence to help companies searching for to develop and broaden throughout borders.
“At Fairness, our function is to assist companies and buyers determine alternatives, entry the correct monetary options and develop their operations,” he mentioned.
Mahvish Malik, Fairness Group Affiliate Director for Commerce Relations, mentioned the roadshows are designed to present contributors sensible insights into doing enterprise within the area.
“Our commerce and funding roadshows are structured to present delegates a transparent understanding of what it’s actually wish to conduct enterprise within the area,” she mentioned.
On September 17, contributors visited Landy Industries, DIKAM Trend, Rwanda Farmers Espresso Firm, identified for its Gorilla’s Espresso model, and electrical mobility firm Ampersand.
Espresso attracts investor curiosity
The enterprise visits strengthened curiosity in Rwanda’s espresso sector amongst some contributors.
Kelechi R. Anyanwu, Managing Director of Excel Plus Funding Restricted, mentioned the expertise had elevated his curiosity in investing within the sector.
“I can say I’m actually overwhelmed by what I noticed right here immediately,” he mentioned.
He mentioned Rwanda wants to advertise its espresso past the East African market and join it with worldwide patrons.
“Personally, I’m now, with this sort of programme, in investing within the espresso enterprise,” he mentioned.
Michaelle Kubwimana, Managing Director and co-owner of Kinunu Agro Processing, mentioned the roadshow opened discussions on financing, partnerships and social-impact initiatives.
“I used to be delighted to know that really Fairness has options for what I’m searching for by way of partnering, working with girls programmes, but additionally via the Fairness Basis,” she mentioned.
Kubwimana mentioned Rwanda’s espresso sector wants to extend manufacturing, strengthen entry to worldwide markets and undertake newer applied sciences.
“We’ve had a workshop session for the final 10 years, however do now we have the most recent know-how? No. Can we do higher? Positively,” she mentioned.
She additionally highlighted the necessity for larger entry to monetary companies outdoors Kigali. Kinunu Agro Processing, based mostly in Rutsiro District, employs about 150 folks however has no close by Fairness Financial institution department.
“I feel that’s a possibility for Fairness,” she mentioned. “The potential relationship may very well be win-win.”
