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The 22-year-old co-founder and chief executive of Strettch Cloud says the company’s rise, from a modest personal investment of about 2 million Rwandan francs to a fast-growing infrastructure business, has been driven less by capital and more by early exposure to practical technology, disciplined execution, and a clear understanding of Africa’s digital constraints.

{{Early curiosity and the path to technology
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Sauvé’s journey into technology began long before Strettch existed. Growing up, he was drawn to science and mathematics, fascinated by how things worked and why systems behaved the way they did. That curiosity eventually narrowed into computer science, which he saw as the most practical application of physics and mathematics in the modern economy.

“Mathematics is the mother language of all sciences,” Sauvé explains. “But I was seeking the most practical way to use that knowledge in the real world, and computer science became the answer.”

While still in lower secondary school, he was already reading computer science books and following emerging technologies such as virtual reality, laying the intellectual groundwork for what would later become a business career.

A defining moment came in 2019, when Sauvé joined the inaugural cohort of Rwanda Coding Academy, a government-backed institution designed to produce industry-ready technologists through project-based learning.

Unlike traditional academic pathways, the school immersed students in software development, cybersecurity, robotics and artificial intelligence, exposing them to real-world problems early. By senior five, Sauvé had secured his first internship, and by senior six he was already employed, an experience that placed him years ahead of many of his contemporaries.

That early professional exposure shaped his view of entrepreneurship. While still at Rwanda Coding Academy, Sauvé attempted to launch two startups, both of which failed. He does not describe them as failures, but as formative experiences that taught him how difficult it is to build software that works in production, manage teams, and navigate uncertainty.

“I’ve already tried two startups when I was still at school that failed, but I don’t take it as a failure because I had to learn a lot through the process,” Sauvé says.

Strettch began taking shape after Sauvé and four fellow Rwanda Coding Academy graduates enrolled at African Leadership University. All five were already employed in different organizations, but they shared a concern that working separately would dilute their collective potential.

They agreed to pool their skills and effort into a single company, even though they had no clear product in mind at the time. Their first strategy was deliberately conservative: start as a software development agency, build solutions for clients, learn how to work as a team, and use the proceeds to finance future products.

That approach paid off sooner than expected. Less than a year after registering the business, the team won a public procurement tender worth $100,000 to develop a national research and innovation system for Rwanda Polytechnic in 2024. The contract was a major financial and psychological breakthrough, but Sauvé says it also introduced a new level of responsibility.

“I had to think about it twice,” Sauvé says. “It felt too good to be true, and at the same time it was a huge responsibility.”

{{How Strettch Cloud was born
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From the agency work, several internal product ideas emerged. One stood out: cloud computing. As businesses across Africa digitise, they increasingly rely on cloud infrastructure to run software and store data. Yet data sovereignty laws in more than 35 African countries restrict sensitive data from being hosted outside national borders, limiting the use of global cloud providers for many organisations. That regulatory reality created a gap that Strettch Cloud set out to fill.

Strettch Cloud offers on-demand computing infrastructure hosted locally, allowing businesses to deploy virtual servers within seconds through a self-service platform. According to Sauvé, it is currently the only cloud provider in Rwanda offering such functionality without requiring manual intervention, contracts or lengthy onboarding processes. The broader ambition is to replicate that model across multiple African countries, enabling companies to scale regionally while remaining compliant with local data regulations.

Building the platform required sacrifices. Sauvé resigned from a well-paid international job to work on Strettch full-time, a decision he describes as the hardest of his life. At the time, he had already achieved a lifestyle he once imagined would take decades to reach. Still, he says the potential impact of building a scalable African technology company outweighed personal comfort.

“Business is one of the most powerful ways to serve society,” he says. “It creates jobs, pays taxes and solves problems at scale.”

{{The humble financial beginnings of Strettch
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Financially, Strettch’s beginnings were modest. The founders initially invested about 2 million Rwandan francs of their own money, largely to experiment and learn. Later, they committed roughly $30,000, earned from client work, to build the minimum viable version of Strettch Cloud. Before launching publicly, the company tested demand through a waitlist that attracted more than 300 organisations, including large Rwandan companies, validating the market.

That traction helped Strettch reach a valuation of $2.5 million and raise external funding. Today, the platform serves dozens of paying customers, with usage growing month by month.

“The first paying customer is always the most significant achievement,” Sauvé remarks. “It is the moment when someone entrusts you with their business, and that trust validates all the effort, risk, and sacrifice.”

Sauvé says the company’s competitive advantage lies in its cost structure and technology ownership. Unlike many regional providers who license expensive third-party platforms, Strettch built its infrastructure software in-house, allowing it to offer lower prices while maintaining control over performance and security.

The company’s ambitions extend beyond Rwanda. Sauvé points to Africa’s cloud computing market, estimated at $45 billion, much of which flows to providers outside the continent. His vision is explicitly Pan-African: keep data, capital and technical expertise within Africa.

Strettch plans to enter Kenya by 2027 and expand into at least six or seven African markets within five years, building physical infrastructure in each to comply with national regulations.

Looking ahead, Sauvé sees artificial intelligence as both an opportunity and a strategic imperative. Many AI systems used in Africa rely on infrastructure hosted abroad, raising data sovereignty concerns. Strettch Cloud is exploring ways to provide AI-ready infrastructure locally, including access to specialised hardware, so that organisations can deploy advanced technologies without exporting sensitive data.

For Sauvé, the story of Strettch Cloud is still in its early chapters. Yet its trajectory already challenges assumptions about where high-growth technology companies can emerge and how much capital is required to start.

His advice to young Rwandans is pragmatic rather than romantic. The work, he says, is difficult and uncertain, but solvable problems reward those who approach them with discipline and optimism.

“When there is a problem, and you think there is an answer, you become a victor. If you think you can’t find an answer, you become a victim,” Sauvé, who also serves as Vice President of Toastmasters, a nonprofit organisation that develops public speaking, leadership, and networking skills, advises.

The office, which has been in Kigali since 2013, serves as a local hub for Rwandan businesses accessing services at the Port of Mombasa.

The MoU provides a strategic framework to enhance coordination, streamline logistics, and boost trade competitiveness along the Northern Corridor. By handling port-related issues locally, the Kigali office allows Rwandan importers to avoid travelling to Kenya, saving time and reducing costs.

Captain William Kipkemboi Ruto, Managing Director of KPA, said the agreement underscores the long-standing partnership between the two countries.

“This office has been here since 2013, and today’s MoU formalises our commitment to support Rwanda’s business community,” he said.

He noted that cargo throughput for Rwanda grew by 22.8 percent last year, totalling 896,000 metric tons of goods transported through Mombasa Port.

“There is more opportunity to grow this volume to over a million tons. Our goal is to bring the port closer to the consumer and simplify business operations for Rwandan importers,” Captain Ruto added.

Captain Ruto also highlighted the office’s role in digitisation and automation. Through KPA’s online payment platform and CargoPay, businesses can process transactions in Rwandan francs without physical interactions, speeding up cargo clearance and reducing delays.

Mohamed Daghar, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Transport, noted that the MoU ensures the Kigali office operates in full compliance with Rwandan law.

“Rwanda is a key partner for us. This agreement will help eliminate non-tariff barriers and other obstacles along the Northern Corridor, enhancing the flow of goods between our countries,” he said.

Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), Canoth Manishimwe, emphasised the impact on cross-border trade.

“This agreement strengthens cooperation and creates smoother processes for resolving any trade-related issues,” he said. “Commercial trucks will no longer face unlawful delays or unnecessary fines, thanks to the MoU’s ‘Non-Barrier Tariff’ clause.”

Statistics from Rwanda’s National Institute of Statistics (NISR) show a steady increase in goods passing through Mombasa Port. In 2022, Rwanda handled 429,850 tons of cargo via the port, rising sharply to 520,000 tons in 2023. The KPA Liaison Office in Kigali is expected to accelerate this growth, improve efficiency, and further strengthen Rwanda’s regional trade position.

Fleeing the turmoil of the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, they sought peace, security, and a better future for their families after the war broke out in early 2022.

“It was really hard for me as a citizen of Russia to acknowledge this,” James recalls. “I had three kids, a beautiful wife, and we wanted to move on to a life of security and peace. And we found this in the middle of Africa, in Rwanda, Kigali.”

James and Boris arrived in Kigali in 2023. They spent the first few months exploring the city and understanding their surroundings before deciding to make Rwanda their permanent home.

“First three months, we just looked around to the left and right and then understood that we want to stay here. Rwanda is one of the most welcoming countries so far,” James says.

His previous experience of travelling extensively in 12 countries over eight years gave him a unique perspective on what makes a country feel like home. But he admits that it was Rwanda’s warmth and sense of safety that convinced them to stay.

With their shared passion for cooking, James and Boris dreamed of creating something special.

“Me? I’m not so smart, to tell you the truth. I’m just a cook,” he jokes. “But I love making something good, seeing people smile, and sharing that joy with others.”

The duo’s dream led them to open Burger Bros in Kisimenti, which quickly grew from a small street cart into one of Kigali’s most popular burger restaurants.

“We served over 200 burgers at a festival once. Even more, I think 300 burgers,” he recalls.

Burger Bros’ approach emphasises fresh, high-quality ingredients and handmade components, including their secret spice mix and signature sauces.

The restaurant’s growth was fueled by teamwork and mentorship. Key team members like Jimmy Hakizimana were recruited for their dedication and talent.

“He used to cook for me sombe (Cassava leaves). I taught him a lot of the things that I know. Now he’s a monster, a professional in our kitchen,” James says proudly.

Today, with 34 employees, Burger Bros continues to thrive while fostering a family-like atmosphere for staff and customers alike.

James’ personal philosophy also drives the restaurant’s culture. “My mother and father would always say, if I did something good, they’d be like, ‘Good boy, good boy.’ I grew up with this notion. When people give me money, I’m delighted, of course, because I give it to my beautiful family, for school, for education, for food, for everything. But the main thing for me is the smile of the person. I want to feel the same thing as I got from my father and mother. It’s as easy as that.”

Legacy is another central theme for James and Boris. “I’m a simple cook, but I’ve always thought a lot about legacy. When we pass on what we know, the people we teach can share it with the next generation, and then the next. That’s how we preserve what we’ve built. For me, that’s a kind of immortality,” he adds.

For the duo, Rwanda is more than a place to live; it’s home. They are grateful to the government for creating a welcoming environment and hope to become Rwandan nationals one day.

“The message for the Rwandan government is, you’re doing a good job. We love you guys. Keep it up. We want more of this. And the second one is, we want the nationality. We want to be Rwandans. Mr. Kagame, president number one. We’re waiting for you at Burger Bros. {Karibu. Murakaza neza} (welcome),” James says with a smile.

{{Watch the full video below.}}