Diplomats from several embassies in Kigali have praised the inaugural Charity Bazaar event for creating a vibrant space where cultures meet, connect and support a meaningful cause. ALSO READ: Inaugural Diplomatic Charity Bazaar targets to empower rural artisans Held at Green Hills Academy on November 22, the event drew over 1,200 attendees and 10 diplomatic missions, eager to highlight their traditions and strengthen community ties. It was also designed as both a cultural showcase and a fundraising initiative. Funds were raised for 50 rural artisan cooperatives through vendor fees, auctions, and raffle tickets, while creating a marketplace for cross-cultural commerce. Vendors and diplomats at Rwanda’s first-ever Diplomatic Charity Bazaar reported strong business connections and cultural exchange outcomes, with participating embassies already committing to an expanded second edition. Joy Kabeti Nguthari, a Kenyan entrepreneur who supplies handicrafts in Rwanda, said she made sales and secured multiple business contacts during the one-day event. “I’ve met different cultures, I’ve made connections, I’ve shared my contacts and I’ve made business,” Nguthari said. “For this first time that I have attended such an event, I’ve made good business.” Multiple attendees reported exchanging contacts with potential clients and receiving inquiries about their locations and products, according to event organisers. The 10 participating embassies—from Ghana, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Sudan, China, Angola, Kenya, Pakistan, and Russia—provided positive feedback and requested earlier notification for next year’s edition to allow more diplomatic missions to participate. “They said, ‘This is a very good thing. Let us know earlier next year,’” said Edison Niyontegereje, founder and chief organizer of the event. “They also said they would invite others.” Zerah Yemilo Waminaje, the Political, Information and Culture Officer at Nigeria High Commission in Rwanda, said the event successfully combined cultural exchange with charitable impact. “It’s like a double benefit: on one hand, you have an event where people come together and celebrate one another, and in the midst of that celebration, you’re also raising funds for a good cause,” Waminaje said. Organised by Intercultural Bridge Group CBC, the bazaar event featured embassy booths showcasing national cultures, live performances including Indian cultural acts, artisan demonstrations, and an auction of products donated by embassies and local creators. Organisers acknowledged that the Rwf10,000 ticket price may have limited the attendance, with roughly 60% of expected participants showing up. Several embassies recommended making the event free to increase accessibility. One partner has already committed to sponsoring all participants’ tickets for the second edition, according to Niyontegereje. “They said that next time we need to make it free so that many people can come in,” he said. Proceeds raised during the event will support rural artisan cooperatives through tool purchases, capacity building, and an e-commerce platform currently under development. “We don’t necessarily give them cash directly,” Niyontegereje said. “What we do is help them buy tools and provide capacity building. We are also building an e-commerce system that will accommodate all artisans, helping them with market access.” The organisers are planning the second edition with expanded embassy participation and adjusted ticketing to increase public access.
