The event, organised by Intercultural Bridge Group CBC (IBG CBC), will bring together diplomatic missions, international communities, local businesses, artists and members of the public at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (Camp Kigali).
Organisers expect more than 5,000 visitors, up from over 1,000 who attended the inaugural edition in November 2025.
The bazaar aims to use cultural exchange to create business and networking opportunities for Rwandan artisans, particularly by connecting them with international buyers and potential partners.
Edison Niyontegereje, Founder and CEO of IBG CBC and President and Chief Organiser of the bazaar, said the initiative was conceived to strengthen interaction between Rwanda’s growing international community and local residents.
“We have given a platform for diplomatic missions to come and showcase their cultures,” he said during a press conference on Monday, adding that the event also provides an opportunity to promote Rwandan artists, artisans and creative businesses to international audiences.
Through its partnership with Agaseke Center, a City of Kigali-supported initiative, the organisation is seeking to expand market opportunities for local creatives.
Musemakweri Fred Junior, who represented Kigali Cultural Village (Agaseke Center), said the centre, established in 2007, initially focused on empowering women but has since expanded to include young people. It works with more than 50 cooperatives involved in weaving, tailoring and other art-related activities, while providing space for artists and artisans to develop and showcase their work.
Niyontegereje said the bazaar would also support artisans beyond the event through initiatives such as developing an e-commerce platform where they can display and sell their work.
Proceeds from the initiative are also intended to support market access, capacity building and education-related needs among families working with the organisation.
The second edition will feature more than 11 diplomatic missions that had confirmed participation at the time of the press conference, with additional missions expected to join.
Visitors will be able to explore cultural exhibitions, food, fashion, crafts, performances and other products representing different countries.
A new feature this year is a cultural art auction, which will allow artists to present original works for potential buyers both at the venue and through an online bidding platform.
The organisers are also planning live painting sessions involving approximately four to five artists from different cultural backgrounds.
Building connections beyond the event
Beyond the bazaar, IBG CBC plans to introduce programmes focused on cultural orientation, international exchange, intercultural dialogue, research and language learning.
One of the proposed initiatives is a cultural orientation programme intended to help international students, professionals and businesspeople understand Rwandan cultural norms and adapt to life in the country.
Niyontegereje said the organisation was working with universities, including Kepler and Carnegie Mellon University Africa, as well as other institutions, to develop programmes that encourage interaction between international and Rwandan communities.
The organisation is also planning regular intercultural dialogues where students from different backgrounds can share experiences and learn about one another’s societies.
Joe Francis, IBG CBC’s Director of Education and Culture, said the programmes would also help Rwandan artists and entrepreneurs improve their ability to reach international markets.
“We want to give local artisans and creative entrepreneurs greater international exposure,” he said.
Francis said plans include training in marketing, product presentation and engagement with potential buyers, while creating opportunities for local creatives to connect with artists and cultural institutions in other African countries.
The organisation hopes such exchanges will expose Rwandan creatives to different approaches to product development, marketing and business management.
Kuzo Marie, who represents the community engagement component of the initiative, said the bazaar also offers young people opportunities to build networks and interact with people from different cultural backgrounds.
“It’s really important as a youth to be in spaces that challenge you, that show you how creative you can be, that connect you with different people,” she said.
She recalled that friendships formed during the inaugural edition had continued beyond the event, with one international student later seeking her assistance in communicating with a local resident because he could not speak Kinyarwanda.
For the organisers, this kind of interaction is part of the broader objective of making cultural exchange a continuous process rather than a one-day activity.
The second edition will be held under the theme “Promoting Cultural Diplomacy and Community Empowerment.” The first edition took place at Green Hills Academy in November last year.
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