Popular retail supermarket chain Sawa Citi has taken over the management and operations of Ndoli Supermarket, one of the oldest supermarket brands in Rwanda. Sawa Citi has in recent years been increasing outlets across the city. While the nature of the partnership was not entirely disclosed, the Ndoli Supermarket Brand name will remain with Sawa Citi running operations and management. Alex Shyaka, a Director at Sawa Citi told The New Times that the development was not an acquisition or takeover of Ndoli Supermarkets but rather running of operations and management. Shyaka said that by their assessment, the market has adequate room for the co-existence of the two brands hence the need to ensure its survival. The new revamped Ndoli Brand was opened about a week ago. The development which is currently in effect comes after months of declined performance at Ndoli over past months characterized by reduced supplies at the outlets shelves. Shyaka defined the model as ‘teaming up to power’ Ndoli Supermarket. The shareholding structure under the new model remains under wraps. Sawa Citi currently has 4 branches across the city with a new branch set to be open in Rusororo in the coming weeks. The brand will also continue working with gas stations to create convenience stores with a number of them under renovation with plans to open them before the end year. Shyaka said that the brand is also working closely with more Rwandan producers and brands in a bid to stock a majority of locally made and sourced products and facilitate the development of local value chains.
