The private sector in Nyaruguru District is calling for strengthened investment aimed at transforming the district, particularly in education, agriculture, tourism, and industry, to ensure Nyaruguru fully joins the path toward sustainable economic development.
Dr. Samuel Sindayigaya, an investor in the education sector, says” Nyaruguru should not be left behind in the establishment of higher learning institutions and universities, noting that residents deserve accessible and affordable opportunities for advanced studies.”
Patrick Mutangana, an investor in tea farming, urges stronger collaboration between the District, RDB, and farmers to expand the tea sector and ensure long-term productivity.
On the other hand, Ntirisesa Ildephonse, a certified seed potato producer, encourages investors to enter the potato value chain, noting that potatoes from Nyaruguru have proven to be of high quality and could help stabilize the rising prices of potatoes across Rwanda.
Investors also request the construction of an animal feed factory in Nyaruguru, as the lack of affordable feed remains one of the major challenges faced by livestock farmers in the district.
Gashema Janvier, Vice Mayor of Nyaruguru in charge of Economic Development, says ” The district receives more than 1.2 million visitors annually, who require hotels, restaurants, and various hospitality services. Currently, the district has only 496 guest rooms, a number that needs to increase significantly.”
Nyaruguru is also a major destination for religious tourism. Kibeho is the only place in Africa where the Catholic Church has officially recognized apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Over the past three years, Kibeho received more than 600,000 pilgrims, a number that has since doubled following infrastructure improvements. The district now aims to attract 15 million visitors annually within the next five years.
The district is also home to Nyungwe National Park, recently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the cultural cradle of the Intore traditional dancers. Plans are underway to build a cultural heritage center dedicated to this tradition.
Michelle Umurungi, Head of Finance at RDB, commended the partnership between Nyaruguru District and the private sector, noting that the district has many untapped investment opportunities.
“Stakeholders that RDB is responsible for providing market information and investment opportunities, connecting investors with partners, promoting tourism through the Visit Rwanda campaign, offering all investment services through the One Stop Center with over 400 licenses available, and providing tax incentives that support investors and their projects.” She reminded.
The Minister of Emergency Management, Gen (Rtd) Albert Murasira, emphasized that ” The sustainable development requires putting in place conditions that make investing easier such as strong infrastructure, clear laws, quality services, and good governance. He added that collaboration between the Government and the private sector is essential for inclusive and lasting development that benefits citizens.”
The district announced plans to cultivate all idle land in order to increase agricultural productivity by 50%. This strategy goes hand in hand with attracting agro-processing industries.
Nyaruguru states that it needs investors in tea, potatoes, and coffee farming, livestock feed production, hotels and accommodation, faith-based tourism, and renewable energy from the district’s numerous rivers. The district expressed appreciation to RDB for its significant role in attracting investors and supporting the overall development of Nyaruguru.
