Despite bold strides taken by the Government of Rwanda in women empowerment, Gender Monitoring Office has recently released research findings indicating that women there are still some job opportunities women are not offered.
This research has demonstrated that 9% of the workforce in the mining sector are women while the remaining percentage is represented by men. In transport sector, women constitute 3% while men have 97% representation.
Among others, women occupy 17% of the labour force in construction sector.
In decision-making seats, women constitute 32% and 33% in business where they are mostly running medium and small businesses.
Women representation is not only low in the above mentioned sectors but also in mechanics and others where they are considered to be out of the norm due to societal stereotypes.
When I heard about women mechanics, a sector in which women are few and in which most women dread, I wondered how these beautiful intelligent women mustered the courage to do something which was out of the norm.
I made my way to meet Donata Umutesi and Niyodusenga, two female who are currently mechanics at Pida Deputy Garage located in Kiyovu.
They told me that they grew up with dreams to become mechanics. Families supported them but there were some people who were showed little enthusiasm and constantly discouraged them.
“As I grew up, I always knew I would end up doing a job that people considered to be boyish but I stayed determined even though some people were really discouraging me,” Umutesi said
Niyodusenga said that she also got the support of her family but experienced the same fate with her friends.
“My family really supported me as they could but my friends were the ones to discourage me,” she said
There are people in the Rwandan society that still consider that some jobs are meant for a particular gender but this was intensely opposed by these young girls since they can attest themselves that anything is possible.
They told me it all depends on what you are passionate about and if it is empowering you in some way.
“I was passionate about this, I really did not care of what people would say, even when I was still in school, I would exceed more than others including boys. I always came first,” Umutesi said. “Sometimes appearances are misleading,” she added
Even though they have attained their goals the journey is still long they have faced some challenges and the constant discouraging voices have not made their journey any easier.
“My greatest challenge was people who consistently discouraged me. They would say that I would become a drunkard, prostitute or get pregnant. So many painful things,” Niyodusenga said
Challenges are part of life and so is discouragement but with their perseverance and patience, Umutesi and Niyodusenga never settled to conform to the norm, their hard work paid off since they have seen the fruit of their labor.
Umutesi said, she is able to live off of the work of her hands, that she no longer and will never depend on anyone to satisfy her basic needs.
Niyodusenga revealed that being a mechanic is very profitable than most people think.
As Niyodusenga explained, she had been able to pay school fees for her siblings that her family no longer worries about her financially.
“I can see the profit, I have been able to pay fees for my siblings and my father no longer worries about me.”
They have wished to tell other women they should have the confidence to break the norm and status quo to empower themselves and do something they are proud of.
They visualize that in the next five years to come they would have reached even greater lengths than they have reached now through saving and perseverance throughout their journey.
Jean Eric Niyitegeka, the Managing Director of Pida Deputy Garage said that the girls they have working there had shown the will to learn and will to work.
“We started by giving them an internship to learn, some of them would ask me to come over on the weekends to practice what we had taught them, they showed great will,” he said
Niyitegeka continued to say that when you see a person with such will, humanity, and work ethic you have to help them and teach them all that you know.
He emphasized that women are capable, thus should be confident and pursue their dreams.
“After knowing that you are capable, you must also take the first step with courage and pursue all your ambitions,” he said
“There are things that our society considers a woman cannot do but we have so many references either internationally and locally of what great lengths a woman can go and what they can achieve,” added Niyitegeka.
Kagame received these envoys on Thursday 31st March 2022.
As he received the delegation, Kagame was with other officials including the Minister of Infratsructure, Dr. Ernest Nsabimana; the Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire and Prof. Manasseh Nshuti, the State Minister in charge of East African Community (EAC) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINAFFET).
Rwanda and Tanzania enjoy cordial relations and cooperation in the areas of politics, infrastructure, economy and security.
Tanzania is considered a major development partner where over 70% of Rwanda’s imports and exports are transited through.
In August last year, President Suluhu came to Rwanda during a visit which left more cooperation agreements signed between both countries.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta also visited Tanzania recently and held talks with Samia Suluhu.
CORE project was established in 2015, with an aim of significantly increasing household off-farm incomes for women and youth by 2021, in the two areas of interventions of Nyamasheke and Rusizi districts.
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) funded project, which was in its second phase of implementation since 2018 (CORE II), was designed to respond to the challenges of limited access to market information, limited business management skills, limited access to vocational skills, limited support structures for entrepreneurs and limited access to financial services for women and youth.
Speaking at the event held on 29th March 2022 in Rusizi District, World Vision Rwanda’s Country Director,Pauline Okumu revealed that the project has created a huge impact to beneficiaries.
“Through this project, a lot has been achieved that deserves to be celebrated today. We now have over 180 functional off farm women and youth cooperatives /business groups, there’s been a tremendous increase in trade volumes for women in tailoring business and those that deal in honey production, the number of savings groups has highly increased and we also have more women and youth accessing formal and informal financial services, to mention but a few. We attribute all these achievements to the CORE 11 project which was funded by SIDA,” she said.
When the project started, Okumu added, all the beneficiaries were in the first and second category (Ubudehe wealth ranking category) but many of them testify that they have been empowered and qualify for the third category.
She appreciated The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) for their generous support through funding this project that transformed thousands of people in Rusizi and Nyamasheke district.
Judith Mukantirenganya from Bugarama Sector attested that World Vision inspired them to work in groups to uplift their wellbeing.
“I was living in a rented house by the time we got married but I have become a smart woman with diversified income. Today, my husband and i live in our own house that we built together. My reputation has improved before my husband and he treats me decently as a life partner,” she said.
Mukantirenganya assured World Vision and SIDA that they will continue working hard to prosper and consolidate gains.
“We also mobilize neighbours and other members of the community to embrace saving culture if they are to spur economic growth,” she noted.
China currently ranks among the top investors in Rwanda which has created thousands of jobs in different sectors.
China’s multidimensional contribution to the development of Rwanda range from investment, infrastructure, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to mining, health, agriculture, defense and security in the near future.
Both countries’ relations and cooperation have been deepened through embassies and envoys. From 2017 to 2022, China was represented by Ambassador to Rwanda, Rao Hongwei who will conclude his tour of duty.
IGIHE has caught up with the outgoing envoy to talk about achievements, future prospects, memories carried to China and messages he has for Rwandans among others.
{{Exerpts:}}
{{1. You started your term as ambassador of China to Rwanda in 2017. Since that time, what has your personal experience in Rwanda been like? Have you enjoyed the country? What memories are you carrying with you as you go back to China?}}
I arrived in Kigali in Feb. 2017. During my stay here, I visited all four provinces and at least 15 districts. I enjoyed the beautiful scenes of Rwanda. The tranquil water of Lake Kivu, the vast grasslands of Akagera, the lush rain forests of Virunga, are all parts of my vivid memory. The beautiful skyline of Kigali, the flowing traffic, the bustling markets, as well as the splendid parade on the day of Kwibohora 25, impress me so much and show how thriving and promising this land is.
I enjoyed the hospitality of Rwandan people from all walks of life which manifests the strong and profound friendship between our two countries. During my close interaction with them, I deeply felt their resilience, courage, and spirit of diligence and self-reliance. I also had the chance to join Umuganda, and learned from Rwanda’s wisdom of home-grown solutions.
Rwanda is my second hometown, and I will cherish the memories here.
{{2. Your term was characterized by great milestones between Rwanda and China, for example, the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to Rwanda in 2018. How remarkable was this for both countries, and how do you think it improved the relations?}}
The historic visit of H.E. President Xi Jinping to Rwanda in July 2018 was the first ever visit by a Chinese head of state to Rwanda. The visit helped our two countries further deepen mutual political trust, strengthen practical cooperation including cooperation under the umbrella of the Belt and Road Initiative, and usher the bilateral relationship into a new era.
Fifteen agreements signed during the visit are now being translated into projects and outcomes. Our cooperation in areas including trade, e-commerce investment, culture, health, education and training are greatly promoted. The expansion project of road from Gahanga to Bugesera is effectively reducing road congestion. Rwandan agricultural products including coffee, tea, dried chili and stevia accessed Chinese market. More and more Chinese enterprises are in Rwanda to invest in high value-added manufacturing industry like electric motorcycles, bamboo production, ICT and others.
Equally importantly, after President Xi’s visit in 2018, the people-to-people exchanges between our two countries have been enormously enhanced. I am sure that will lay a solid foundation for our friendship.
{{3. Also, during your tenure, China and Rwanda celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties. What’s your take on that as far as how far both countries’ relations have come, and what is your observation about the enthusiasm on both sides to maintain the relations for many more years?}}
Thanks to the stewardship of leaders of our two countries, China and Rwanda have fostered multidimensional and full-fledged relations, which are at their best in history.
Let me give a few examples. China is Rwanda’s largest trading partner with a bilateral trade volume of over US$300 million in 2021. China is Rwanda’s biggest project contractor which built a great number of key projects on energy, infrastructure, livelihood and manufacturing, and up to 70% of Rwanda’s national asphalt road construction were undertaken by Chinese companies. China is also bringing investment to Rwanda, with a stock amount of direct investment of US $334 million as of the end of last year.
As I wrote in an opinion piece in last November, our brotherhood roots from our culture and commonalities, builds on empathy and grows in trust. With strong political will from the leaders and wide support of the two peoples, the two countries will further deepen practical cooperation, strengthen the collaboration and synergy between national development strategies, so as to better benefit the two peoples and compose a new chapter of friendship that goes beyond thousands of hills and rivers.
{{4. On an unfortunate note, Covid-19 hit the world in 2020 and we are still grappling with the pandemic up to date. China has been supporting Rwanda in its fight against the pandemic, providing vaccines and other resources. Tell us more about China’s support in this regard. And what is more going forward as Rwanda is making bold efforts to recover from the pandemic?}}
After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, our two countries stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against the adversity, and further elevate the friendship between our two peoples. China has donated to Rwanda 500,000 doses of vaccines and five batches of medical supplies including PPEs, testing kits for COVID-19 and other medical equipment. In 2021, Chinese government provided a grant worth US$ 60 million, and wrote off US$ 6 million debt to Rwanda, with a view to helping Rwanda’s economy to recover from the pandemic. With the aid from China, the renovation and expansion project of Masaka Hospital will officially commence this year. Masaka Hospital will become one of the best hospitals in Rwanda once completed.
At the 8th ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last November, H.E. President Xi Jinping put forward 4 proposals and 9 programs for China-Africa cooperation in the following three years. We need to grasp this opportunity to achieve as much as possible to recover from the pandemic and benefit the two peoples.
{{5. How do you rate the resilience of the Rwandans during the COVID-19 times?}}
Under the strong leadership of H.E. President Paul Kagame, Rwanda won a great battle against the pandemic. I witnessed the determined efforts of lockdown, the comprehensive measures to acquire vaccines and inoculate citizens, and the dynamic approach of balancing pandemic control and economic recovery.
Rwanda is one of the few African countries that have met WTO’s goal of vaccination. The fact demonstrates how effective the Rwandan government is and how supportive the Rwandan people are. Let me congratulate the great country of Rwanda and the heroic Rwandan people on the success.
{{6. COVID-19 has led to a number of challenges in the projects that Rwanda and China are cooperating in. What is being done in this regard?}}
We have to admit that the shocks of COVID-19 impacted the cooperation between our two countries. However, with the concerted efforts of the two sides, we managed to overcome the difficulties and advance our cooperation in many projects.
Last year saw the handover of the Extension Project of IPRC Musanze, the completion of the preliminary survey work for the Expansion and Upgrading Project of road from Prince House to Masaka, the signing of the concessional loan framework agreement for Smart Education Project, and the signing of the DTAA and its affiliated protocol. There were 23 training programs held via online platforms, and over six hundred Rwandans participated in these sessions last year. Online pavilions set up by Chinese exhibitions, also enabled exhibitors and buyers from Rwanda to participate in the China International Import Expo, Canton Fair and China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. In the near future, the 200-Borehole-Well Project will be completed soon. China is also working with Rwanda to grant duty-free treatment to 98 percent of Rwandan-origin goods exported to China.
{{7. China has overtaken other superpowers to trade more with Africa. Thus, there has been an outcry of Chinese debt trap in Africa. What’s your take on it and why has the accusation been growing?}}
Among China’s partners, no single country is beset with a debt crisis because of its cooperation with China.
Take Rwanda as an example, since 1971, China has provided a big amount of financing including interest-free loans, concessional loans, and other forms to Rwanda. The money has gone to all aspects of Rwanda’s social development, from infrastructure construction such as roads, bridges, hospitals and schools, to cooperation in agricultural technology and e-commerce. China has provided Rwanda with a US$ 214 million concessional loan for the Nyabarongo II Hydropower Project which will generate a large amount of electricity, provide many jobs, and transform the downstream swamps into 20,000 hectares of arable land. One can easily tell if China is making contribution to Rwanda’s development or damaging it with “trap”.
H.E. President Paul Kagame once dismissed the so-called “debt trap” and said that China has never forced any country to borrow from them to accumulate debt, while China’s financial support has opened up new pathways for cooperation.
China’s lending to African countries is not a “debt trap”, but an “economic pie” that benefits the local population. Behind the “debt trap” cliché is an immoral attempt to sabotage the time-tested dynamic partnership between China and Africa, deny China’s global efforts and contribution, and smear the international image of China.
{{8. What is your take on the War in Ukraine?}}
China is deeply concerned and grieved about the situation in Ukraine. China calls on the international community to redouble its efforts to promote peace talks and put the situation to an end at an early date. China is firmly opposed to moves by some countries to fuel the flame by escalating the sanctions and providing arms to the parties concerned.
China believes that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported. Furthermore, China calls for preventing a massive humanitarian crisis. China has put forward an initiative for responding to the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, and provided Ukraine with humanitarian assistance. We will continue to play a constructive role in easing the situation, encouraging dialogue and negotiations, and preventing a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
{{9. What is your message to the Rwandan people as you leave? Also, what is your message to the Chinese people about the Rwandan people and our country in general?}}
Rwanda is my second hometown. I begin to miss this beautiful country even before I leave. In the past five years, I was very happy to witness the rapid development of Rwanda. I wish Rwanda success and prosperity under the leadership of H.E. President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan Patriotic Front, and wish the Rwandan people health and happiness! I hope the friendship that is higher than mountains between China and Rwanda will further grow in the years to come.
It is the latest in a series of capital raising that Gahigiro Capital Limited has facilitated start-ups operating on the African continent, and the first venture debt finance facilitation by the firm. It is the largest debt financing facility for Lipa Later to date.
Venture debt is a type of debt financing to technology-enabled companies by specialized banks or non-bank lenders to fund working capital or other capital expenses.
Commenting on the development, Michael Shema, the Managing Director of Gahigiro Capital noted: “Start-ups on the continent are just discovering venture debt financing as an additional form of capital raising. Venture debt on the continent is still extremely rare and only starting to take off. We (Gahigiro Capital) are proud to have supported Lipa Later on this landmark transaction that will see them receive much needed capital to be able to truly scale and further prove their business model.”
There are lots of benefits to venture debt financing for founders and according to Shema, it can help start-ups and early-stage investors to retain ownership while simultaneously raising capital for their firms.
“It offers a multitude of advantages such as a reduction in equity dilution and a lower overall cost of capital for the start-up. Furthermore, the flexibility of most venture debt financiers allows them to customize their offering to the business needs and cycles.”
According to Eric Muli, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lipa Later, the funding will help the Buy Now Pay Later platform to expand into new markets on the continent.
“We are extremely excited to be working with Gahigiro Capital as we look towards asserting our dominance as Africa’s leading buy now pay later player. With the financing, we will be opening new markets and doubling down in our existing markets over the next 12 months.
We thank Gahigiro Capital for believing in our vision and hope to continue on this important relationship for both our organizations.”
Lipa Later, is a trusted Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) company with operations in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria. Lipa Later, which started in Kenya in 2018 has built a reputation for delivering value for its investors right from its early days.
Other than the traditional offline method of buyers purchasing items in stores, Lipa Later has tapped into the rapidly growing online presence across Africa and built a unique Buy Now Pay Later software application that integrates into e-commerce platforms enabling merchants to sell products directly to consumers and pay for them in affordable monthly instalments.
Lipa Later’s proprietary one-of-a-kind credit scoring, and machine learning system enables the consumer to sign up and get a credit limit in seconds without the need for lengthy documentation and credit approval process.
Gahigiro Capital was the sole transaction advisor on this US$10 million capital raise.
{{About Gahigiro Capital }}
Gahigiro Capital Ltd. is a corporate finance & advisory firm headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda that provides services to start-ups, SMEs, corporates, and multinationals operating across sub- Saharan Africa.
Founded in 2016, Gahigiro has a large and diversified network of institutional Africa focused investors. They offer capital raising services, mergers and acquisitions services, placement agent services, and advisory services. With Rwanda’s central location and a dynamic bilingual team, Gahigiro is well-positioned to serve both Francophone and Anglophone African countries with long-term strategic advice to fuel their growth and development. For more information, please visit www.gahigirocapital.com
{{About Lipa Later}}
Founded in 2018, Nairobi-based Lipa Later provides a point-of-sale credit program that allows retailers to sell goods and services more efficiently to consumers with repayments made in affordable monthly installments. It is a leading third-party installment plan for retailers in East Africa and currently operates in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Nigeria. The company’s product offering allows for both online and offline integration with retailers and both online and offline sales platforms including mobile wallets for consumers. For more information, please visit https://lipalater.com
{{For any enquiries, please contact Gahigiro Capital at info@gahigirocapital.com or +250 785 288 847.}}
Some of the students who benefited from this opportunity share their views highlighting that acquired skills have been very helpful enhancing their competencies at the labour market.
“SKOL’s internship has helped me acquire practical skills which were key elements in starting my career after graduating. It also allowed me to get a picture of how work is done. In general, getting a degree is not only enough, but professional internship is also very important in the job market these days,” said Diane Dushimimana, a Front Desk Officer.
Alexis Hakizimana who is now HR Clerk at SKOL Brewery revealed that the professional internship is a great opportunity to have a place and occasion to put in action what he acquired from university and get hands on skills.
“It brings confidence that the hustler we do, the greater we benefit and is a great pleasure and motivating to the graduand getting the professional internship which leads to the permanent employment,” he said.
Justin Byiringiro, who serves as HR Assistant at SKOL Brewery disclosed that the internship helped him to achieve his dreams.
“I had a dream of doing internship in a big company in Rwanda as a way of uplifting my skills and probably getting a good job and my dream was fulfilled on my graduation ceremony in 2017, when I was honored the first-class finalist in social work and awarded internship opportunity by Ivan Wulffaert, the CEO of SKOL Brewery Ltd.
After completing my internship, I was given a permanent job in logistics and later in Human Resources where I work today. I am so grateful for the opportunity given to me which I consumed at maximum, and which has led to my permanent employment. It is my pleasure to work for SKOL Brewery Ltd, one of fastest growing companies in Rwanda.”
The Management of SKOL Brewery is happy that this support has helped different students and the community in general throughout the years, as one of its goals is to contribute to the development of the Rwandan community.
During the event, Philip Lacky, the Head of Investment Marketing at RDB presented available investment opportunities to guests and investors from Denmark.
The first advisor to Rwanda’s ambassador in Sweden, Marie Elise Umulisa has told IGIHE that majority participants of the event come from the sectors of agriculture and technology among others.
On the evening of the same day, Lacky met with Danish companies involved in tourism sector.
Representatives from these companies also engaged with investors from Rwanda’s tourism sector to showcase available opportunities so that they can add Rwanda to the list next tourism destinations.
The event was also characterized by traditional performances by Irebero dance troop.
The campaign is also expected to continue to Helsinki, the capital of Finland and Stockholm in Sweden.
Later on March 7, two major drug dealers were arrested in Rulindo and Nyabihu districts with combined 12kgs and 115 pellets of cannabis.
Earlier on January 19, RNP arrested three other people also in Rulindo District in possession of 1,300 pellets of cannabis.
The same was on November 24, last year when another major drug supplier was intercepted in Riryi Village, Mugote Cell, Ngoma Sector of Rulindo District with 15kgs of cannabis.
Similar successful operations have been conducted before in Rulindo District, which is mapped as one of the main drug trafficking routes to the City of Kigali.
In the latest operation conducted on Tuesday, March 29, another drug trafficker was intercepted in Gatimba Village, Bugaragara Cell of Shyorongi Sector also in Rulindo trafficking about 1,000 pellets of cannabis to Kigali.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), identified the suspect as Placide Nshimiyimana, 40.
“Nshimiyimana was trafficking the narcotics in a Kigali-bound bus from Musanze District. These are part of the ongoing operations targeting major drug dealers and routes used, and Rulindo is one of the routes to Kigali,” said SP Ndayisenga.
He added: “When some drug dealers find way to sneak the narcotics into Rwanda porous border points, they also try to find ways to get the narcotics to the final destinations to supply other retailers, and Rulindo is mapped out as one of the routes to Kigali. These are targeted and random operations to break the chains of supply.”
The Ministerial order nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization classifies cannabis in the category of “very severe narcotics.’’
Article 263 of law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.
Upon conviction for “very severe narcotics,” the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
African Management Institute programmes offered through the Hanga Ahazaza initiative in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, focus on increasing employment opportunities for young people while expanding the hospitality and tourism sector in Rwanda.
Since 2019, almost 900 managers and entry level employees have graduated from AMI’s Workplace Learning programmes and more than 400 entrepreneurs and business leaders both in Hospitality & Tourism sector have benefited from AMI’s entrepreneurship programmes last year.
Under the new partnership with Musanze District, AMI aims at enrolling a minimum of 70 entrepreneurs and business owners into its Survive to Thrive programme which is a 4-month practical business growth programme that equips business leaders and their teams with skills and tools to help them address challenges affecting their enterprises and be able to recognize and seize business opportunities.
In addition, AMI will support more than 200 supervisors and aspiring supervisors in the hospitality and tourism sector as well as the creative industry to develop their management skills through the workplace learning programmes ‘Inspiring Managers’ and ‘Thrive@Work.’
Commenting on the development, Malik Shaffy, AMI Rwanda Country Director said that the partnership comes in the right time as AMI expands its reach to Musanze Community.
“ We have worked with the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) to set up a new office at their Innovation Hub at the Musanze Youth Centre. Young entrepreneurs will be able to visit the Hub to learn about our programmes and meet our Growth Guides who will support them to acquire the skills they need to keep their businesses operating.
We look forward to working with business leaders and managers on this journey. I encourage them to visit the youth centre or our website to apply for an AMI programme that suits their business goals,” he said.
Janvier Ramuli, the Mayor of Musanze District appreciated AMI’s support to entrepreneurs and business managers to build their companies and find new ways to provide great customer care.
”Musanze is one of the major secondary cities and the hub of Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality industry. We are delighted to partner with AMI as their programmes will help build skills and opportunity for young Rwandans and contribute to the economic development of the district at scale,” he said.
Following the signing of the agreement with Musanze District, the AMI management team met with AMI Alumni based in Musanze to celebrate their achievements, discuss challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as ways to overcome them.
To learn more about AMI’s programmes, visit africanmanagers.org/rwanda.
Interested individuals in Musanze District are encouraged to apply for the Inspiring Managers programme at bit.ly/AMITW-Musanze and Survive to Thrive programme at bit.ly/AMIS2T-Musanze.
The hotels offer services to people with varied economic backgrounds but some are relatively luxurious and expensive that not everyone can afford.
Only wealthy people can afford the rooms as night payment might be worth a house or plot of land depending on the location, size and magnificence in different parts of the country including Kigali.
Below is compiled list of most expensive hotels’ rooms in Rwanda as per prices available on their online platforms.
{{1. Silverback Suite: }} This room belongs to One and Only Gorilla’s Nest, a hotel built in an eucalyptus forest at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi Sector of Musanze District.
Spending one night in the room costs US$15,000 (more than Rwf15 million).
The room accommodates not more than two guests, be it a child and adult or adults only.
The cheapest room at One and Only Gorilla’s Nest costs US$4000 equivalent to Rwf4 million. The hotel has other luxurious rooms including Ingagi Suite (US$13.000) and Virunga Suite (US$6000) among others.
{{2. Royal Suite: }} This luxurious room at Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre, can accommodate different guests including magnates, Heads of State or Kings.
During the low peak of tourists (between January-February and November-December), the room costs Euro 12,440.38 (more than Rwf13.9 million) per night. The price is tax inclusive.
Royal Suite with Lounge Access and Terrace is a spacious room covering 699 square meters. It can accommodate six adults and two children.
{{3. Kataza House:}} This room is part of buildings of hospitality establishment known as Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park.
During the low season of touristic activities, the room is priced at US$8,600.
During low peak, (between January-February and November-December), spending night in one suite costs US$2100 which increased to US$2800 in peak season.
The facility has 7 one-bedroom suites (sleeps 2), each with indoor and outdoor showers, an indoor bath, a sitting/rest area, covered veranda, dressing room, mini bar, an in-room massage area, indoor and outdoor fireplaces and a heated plunge pool.
A two-bedroom suite (sleeps 4) with two identical bedrooms featuring indoor baths, indoor and outdoor showers, in-room massage areas and dressing rooms. The suite offers indoor and outdoor fireplaces, a more spacious sitting/rest area, a mini bar, covered veranda and a heated plunge pool.
Singita also includes an exclusive-use four-bedroom villa, Kataza House (sleeps 8), featuring indoor baths and showers, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, informal living and dining areas, an interactive kitchen, covered veranda, heated plunge pools, cinema room, massage treatment room, fitness centre and small cellar.
The price of one night accommodation in a two-room suite is US$6,300 which can go up to US$8,400 during peak season.
Spending a night at Kataza House during the aforementioned months is US$8,600 for 1 to 4 people and US$13,600 for 5 to 8 people.
The normal price for guests during peak season is US$13,150 for one to four guests and US$20,950 for people ranging between five and eight.
{{4. Presidential Suite: }} Spending a night in this room at Kigali Marriott Hotel costs US$6,883.88$.
The latter is a spacious room with a veranda among other amenities giving comfort to the Head of State staying there.
A client pays US$5,556 excluding US$1,327.88 taxes, hence bringing the total amount to US$6,883.88.
The room is extended on 215 square meters.
{{5. Forest Suite:}} It is the most luxurious room at One & Only Nyungwe House, a hotel built in Nyungwe National Park. Spending a night there costs US$6,600.
{{6. Volcano Manor: }} Volcano Manor is one of rooms of Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel located in Musanze District. One night accommodation costs US$5,500. It is a suite that can accommodate six people.
{{7. Presidential Suite at Kigali Serena Hotel: }} The luxurious room at Kigali Serena Hotel costs US$3,425 per night.
There are many more rooms with average accommodation cost like Luxury Pool Villa at The Retreat priced at US$1400 per night.
