Rwandapreneur convened Rwandan diaspora professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and development partners in Kigali for a two-day forum aimed at unlocking business, collaboration, and investment opportunities in Rwanda, while offering participants visiting the country during the festive season a firsthand engagement with its growing innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, December 16–17. Rwandapreneur is a platform that connects and unlocks global opportunities for high-grow entrepreneurs, investors and partners in the diaspora and Rwanda. The global consulting firm, based in Toronto, Canada and Kigali, Rwanda supports businesses grow and scale, while remaining deeply committed to advancing Rwanda’s socio-economic development and transformation. The two-day forum attracted Rwandan diaspora professionals and entrepreneurs visiting from abroad, strategic partners, and friends of Rwanda interested in business, collaboration, and investment opportunities. Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners was a key co-host partner for the event, along with Rwanda Development Board, Ministry of ICT & Innovation, Rwanda, Rwanda Social Security Board and Kigali International Financial Centre. Held under the theme “Accelerating Global Opportunities in Rwanda,” the forum featured networking sessions, roundtables, and curated visits that enabled participants to explore ways to contribute, collaborate, and invest in Rwanda’s future. It also facilitated strategic engagement with institutions supporting the country’s economic transformation, providing a platform for relationship-building, collaboration, and investment between the diaspora and Rwanda. “It’s important for the diaspora to think strategically about how we can contribute to Rwanda’s economic transformation. I’ve been away for over seven years, but during that time I’ve been building collaborative business networks in Rwanda and abroad,” said Imanzi Kayitare, Founder of Rwandapreneur. “Through Rwandapreneur, we aim to create a bridge that supports the ecosystem and enhances investment, partnerships, and collaboration. We connect entrepreneurs, investors, diaspora professionals, incubators, and government institutions—because transformation requires everyone at the table,” he added. Kayitare expressed optimism that the forum would inspire participants to take concrete steps, noting that many diaspora professionals are interested in business but often lack clarity on where to begin. “Being on the ground helps them understand the realities beyond headlines and conferences,” he said, adding that the forum provided space to explore investment, business set-up, and partnership opportunities. He noted strong representation from Canada, the United States, and Europe, alongside local Rwandan businesses. Friends of Rwanda from countries including Cameroon, Haiti, and Ghana also participated. “These events bring together the global diaspora, local stakeholders, and friends of Rwanda to explore meaningful opportunities,” he said. Participants met Yves Iradukunda, Minister of State in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT), who shared an overview of MINICT priorities and opportunities for diaspora engagement. They also toured model homes and explored investment and housing opportunities with the Rwanda Social Security Board at Vision City. Roundtables featured key ecosystem partners, including the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC). Herve Frederic Rugwizangoga, KIFC Business Development Manager, highlighted Rwanda’s positioning as a premier financial services hub for international investment. The Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) is Rwanda’s flagship initiative designed to position Kigali as a leading regional hub for international finance, investment, and financial services in Africa. KIFC offers a competitive regulatory environment, tax incentives, and a robust legal framework aligned with international standards to attract global financial institutions, investors, and professional services firms. Through innovation hubs, diaspora participants connected with founders and ecosystem leaders to explore collaboration opportunities, including at Kigali Innovation City and across sectors such as real estate, tourism, IT, and related industries. RDB showcases investment opportunities for the diaspora Divine Nakanyange, Head of Investment Marketing and Facilitation at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), outlined investment pathways for diaspora investors, highlighting real estate and construction as priority sectors amid rapid urbanization. Cities such as Kigali are expanding quickly, yet Rwanda faces a housing shortage of more than 500,000 units under the implementation of the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2). “For investors, this means opportunities in affordable and middle-income housing, as well as large-scale residential developments. While the government prioritises affordable housing, private sector investment—including from the diaspora—is essential to close the gap and meet the needs of ordinary Rwandans,” she said. Diaspora investors, she noted, can invest individually or collaboratively, with options to manage projects remotely. Flagship opportunities such as the $300 million Kigali Golf Resort Villas and the $200 million, 29-storey Kigali Green Complex illustrate the scale of available projects. Beyond housing, Rwanda is positioning itself as a regional hub for tourism, hospitality, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), driven by rising visitor numbers and growing demand for hotels, conference facilities, entertainment venues, and leisure parks. “The goal is not only to attract visitors but also to encourage them to stay longer and contribute meaningfully to the economy. This creates opportunities for investors to shape Rwanda’s hospitality landscape and benefit from its growing global profile,” Nakanyange said. She also highlighted long-term opportunities in the health sector, including infrastructure development, clinics, medical equipment manufacturing, medical education, and digital health solutions. Guided by the Ministry of Health’s “4×4 strategy,” initiatives such as Kigali Health City aim to position Rwanda as a regional centre for quality healthcare. Additional opportunities exist in agriculture—particularly agro-processing, horticulture, and cold chain logistics—as well as in manufacturing. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of local production, prompting Rwanda to encourage investment in construction materials, light manufacturing, and medical and industrial inputs to reduce import dependence and strengthen local value chains. Emerging sectors such as digitalisation, innovation, artificial intelligence, and e-mobility are also expanding rapidly. “RDB welcomes investor-driven ideas, particularly those inspired by the diaspora’s global exposure and experience,” Nakanyange said, emphasising the importance of collective investment. “No opportunity is too large when approached collaboratively. Investors are encouraged to pool resources, form partnerships, and invest together. RDB is ready to discuss, refine, and facilitate viable ideas from concept to implementation.” She added that RDB prioritises diaspora investors, offering end-to-end facilitation through its One-Stop Centre, which provides more than 400 permits and licences alongside incentives and aftercare services. “Many companies operating in Rwanda are profitable and expanding,” she said. Among the participants was Brune Itetere, Founder of the Kigali-based fashion house SËVEN.ZY and Advisor at Rwandapreneur encourages fellow diaspora members to return to Rwanda or invest in the country. Her message, delivered from her perspective as a returning diaspora entrepreneur, highlights her key motivations. “It’s important for us to get involved in creating job opportunities and contributing to Rwanda's economy” Marshall Ubaruta, a Rwandan cybersecurity professional based in Canada, highlighted the forum’s value in guiding investment decisions. “We engaged with different ministries and stakeholders in technology, agribusiness, and innovation. This event is crucial for understanding where to invest. I’m particularly interested in IT, technology-driven projects, and real estate, which contributes around 16 per cent of Rwanda’s GDP,” he said. Vivian Kayitesi, Country Lead for Rwanda at Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP), who returned from Montreal in 2007, said ESP supports entrepreneurs at every stage—from high school students considering entrepreneurship to established businesses. ESP is devoted to identifying, enabling, and supporting entrepreneurs and private sector players to achieve long-term success and create prosperity for Africa. They are best defined as “Entrepreneurs investing in Entrepreneurs”. “Since inception, ESP has supported over 2,000 entrepreneurs, with a focus on connecting local entrepreneurs with the diaspora,” she said.
