Italian Smart Living, promoted by the Italian Trade Agency and the National Confederation of Craft and Smes (CNA) , a premier interior design event, has brought the timeless elegance of Italian craftsmanship to Rwanda, officially unveiling its Kigali presence with a showcase of high-quality interior design materials.

The move underscores the Agency's and CNA long-term vision to serve the East African region and beyond, offering both accessibility and affordability without compromising Italian excellence.

The launch was marked by a three-day event held from September 27–30, attracting industry experts, international partners, students and design enthusiasts from across East Africa, China, and Europe.

The programme highlighted sustainability, innovation, and the artistry of Made in Italy interior design, alongside an exclusive tour of Casa Italia’s Kigali showroom, where participants explored the latest trends in home decor and value engineering.

The Kigali showcase was organised in partnership with the Italian Trade Commission and CNA Italy, which represents over 600,000 Italian companies. Antonio Franceschini, head of CNA’s International Trade Promotion Office, emphasised that the event created valuable connections:

"This was not only about presenting Italian furniture excellence but about building B2B opportunities. It is the first step towards deeper cooperation between Rwandan and Italian entrepreneurs.”

Claudio Pasqualucci, the Director of the Addis Ababa Italian Trade Agency, echoed the sentiment, highlighting Rwanda’s stability and rapid real estate growth as key attractions.

"Rwanda is small but dynamic. The growth of its real estate industry is impressive, and we see opportunities to bring technologies and expertise to work alongside local companies,” he said. "We are not here to compete with local industries but to create partnerships and joint ventures.”

Linda Mutesi Arinitwe, a Ugandan architect and lecturer at Makerere University who also runs Nkorera Design Studio, was among the participants at the Kigali event. Having previously visited design sites in Italy, she described Italian Smart Living’s arrival in Rwanda as a long-awaited opportunity to access premium materials closer to home.

"This is the first time such an event is being hosted in our region, and it brings Italy much closer to us,” she said. "If I have a project, I no longer need to search for companies in Europe. With their presence in Kigali, just a nine-hour bus ride from Uganda, I can easily organise what I need and have it shipped. That accessibility is a game-changer.”

Arinitwe explained that for years, East African designers had to rely on middlemen, which not only inflated prices but also limited customisation.

"Now, we can engage directly with manufacturers, have products tailored to our clients’ tastes, and receive them within days instead of waiting eight or ten weeks for overseas shipping,” she noted. "This creates a stronger sense of East African connectivity, where materials can move seamlessly between Kampala, Kigali, Nairobi, and Dar es Salaam.”

She praised Italian Smart Living for embracing regional unity, reiterating, "Instead of treating us as separate markets, they’re recognising our shared East African identity, our Ubuntu. Whether you’re in construction, furnishing, consultancy, or even a client, you now have access to authentic, high-quality products within reach, without the risks of fraud or uncertainty that often come with distant sourcing.”

On the often-cited belief that Italian products are unaffordable, Arinitwe argued that the Kigali showcase helped dispel the stereotype.

"It challenges the notion that Made in Italy automatically means ‘too expensive.’ While some products are luxurious, there is also a range that is competitively priced. For too long, architects have been forced to compromise on final finishes because of limited access, but now our clients can enjoy genuine quality at different price levels,” she said.

She added that middlemen’s profit margins were a key factor in making Italian imports seem out of reach. Direct access, she explained, changes that dynamic.

"This breaks the old mindset that Europe is only for a certain class. If you compare quality with affordability, many clients can now find a middle ground and invest in superior products,” Arinitwe emphasised.

"Many of these Italian companies are willing to train our technicians and craftsmen. That means we don’t always need to import workmanship, we can build our own capacity here. It creates jobs, builds skills, and ensures that high standards are maintained locally. Done right, it’s a win-win.”

Marco Moscardi, the Director of Casa Italia in Kigali, stressed that Italian Smart Living is committed to more than sales.

"We didn’t come here just to sell and go. We are here to build lasting partnerships, introduce specialised installation teams, and ensure accountability and service,” he noted.

"Rwanda’s location and opportunities make it the right place to grow. We are here to stay.”

As Italian Smart Living establishes its footprint in Kigali, it positions itself not just as a showroom but as a full-service procurement and design office, committed to affordability, customisation, and engineering value.