Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva toured the Musanze Industrial Park, visiting key factories that produce textiles, steel, and cement on Thursday, August 14. Nsengiyumva assessed the progress of strategic industrial projects that add value, create jobs, and boost exports. There are currently 18 factories in Musanze Industrial Park, a 164-hectare designated area just outside Musanze town. It is a government-owned hub for diverse industrial activities, designed to accommodate sectors such as metal processing, mechanical assembly, light chemicals, paper and plastic production, garment manufacturing, mineral processing, stone cutting, and cement production. ALSO READ: Volcano canopy walkways, aerodrome and eco-parks in Musanze’s master plan During his visit, he toured the three industries, spoke to their managers about progress and sticking issues that government attention. Gorilla Textiles During the tour, the Prime Minister visited Gorilla Textiles Ltd, established in 2023 and operational since December 2024. Occupying 5.5 hectares, the factory began with an initial investment of $5 million, which has since risen to $8 million, with expansion plans pushing it to $10 million (approx. Rwf14 billion). According to its management, Gorilla Textile currently employs 1,200 people, 92 percent of whom are women, with the workforce growing by 20 percent monthly. The factory produces up to 150,000 denim garments per month, serving a domestic market that accounts for 80 percent of sales, while 20 percent are exported to Uganda, DR Congo, and Tanzania. Plans to penetrate markets such as Japan, Korea, and Israel are on hold pending further quality testing. In July 2025 alone, sales reached Rwf800 million, with an average monthly market growth of 30 percent since opening. Challenges cited by the garment firm management include limited access to packaging materials made of plastics due to environmental restrictions as well as space constraints. The New Times understands that these issues are being addressed in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Prime Cement Ltd The Prime Minister also visited Prime Cement, one of three cement factories in Rwanda. Operational since September 2020, the company uses locally sourced pozzolana and imports clinker from Kenya and gypsum from Tanzania. With an annual capacity of 600,000 metric tonnes, it produces four types of cement of various purposes, 32AP, 32BP, 42AP, and 42BP, and employs 56 people. More jobs are created indirectly. In 2024, Prime Cement was acquired by CIMERWA, which itself is 99.9% owned by National Cement Holdings. The factory could be worth $40-65 million, according to previous estimates. A1 Iron and Steel Rwanda Another major project in the park is A1 Iron & Steel Rwanda, incorporated in June 2024 under APM Holding. Once operational, the industry will be Rwanda’s first and East Africa’s third steel plant to use an iron-ore integrated process to produce hot-rolled narrow gauge strips and 5.5mm wire rods. With a planned investment of $20 million, the plant will include facilities for sponge iron production, steel melting, rolling, wire rod manufacturing, strip milling, and tube milling. It will cover 40 hectares and employ 1,000 people directly and 2,500 indirectly. The project aims to make Rwanda self-sufficient in steel production. The company, whose operations are due to start in September, plans to export to Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Sudan. Musanze Industrial Park remains one of Rwanda’s budding industrial parks, with government and private sector collaboration driving investment, innovation, and employment opportunities in the region.
