Nyaruguru: Private Sector Calls for Greater Investment in Education, Agriculture, and Tourism

Growing Demand for Strategic Investment

The private sector in Nyaruguru District is urging stronger investment to drive the district’s transformation. Investors highlight key sectors such as education, agriculture, tourism, and industry. They believe these areas can support Nyaruguru’s journey toward sustainable economic growth.

Expanding Education Opportunities

Dr. Samuel Sindayigaya, an investor in education, says Nyaruguru needs more higher learning institutions. He explains that residents deserve accessible and affordable opportunities for advanced studies. He also notes that expanding tertiary education would reduce long travel distances for students.

Boosting Agriculture Productivity

Patrick Mutangana, a tea farmer, calls for deeper collaboration between the District, RDB, and farmers. He believes this partnership will help expand the tea sector and secure long-term productivity.

Ntirisesa Ildephonse, a certified seed potato producer, encourages investment in the potato value chain. He says potatoes from Nyaruguru are known for high quality. He adds that increased production could help stabilize rising potato prices across Rwanda.

Livestock farmers also face major challenges due to the high cost of animal feed. Investors are requesting the construction of an animal feed factory within the district to address this issue.

Tourism and Hospitality Needs

According to Gashema Janvier, the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, Nyaruguru receives more than 1.2 million visitors each year. These visitors require hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality services. However, the district currently has only 496 guest rooms. Gashema says this number must increase to meet growing demand.

Religious and Cultural Tourism Potential

Nyaruguru is a well-known 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 welcomed more than 600,000 pilgrims. That number has doubled following improvements in local infrastructure. The district now aims to attract 15 million visitors annually within the next five years.

The district is also home to Nyungwe National Park, which UNESCO recently designated as a World Heritage Site. It is also the cultural birthplace of the Intore traditional dancers. Plans are underway to build a cultural heritage center dedicated to preserving this tradition.

Investment Promotion and Support

Michelle Umurungi, Head of Finance at RDB, praised the strong partnership between RDB and Nyaruguru District. She emphasized that the district holds many untapped investment opportunities.

She explained that RDB offers marketing information and investment guidance. It connects investors with partners, promotes tourism through the Visit Rwanda campaign, and provides services through the One Stop Center, which issues more than 400 types of licenses. She added that investors can also access tax incentives that support their projects.

Government Commitment to Sustainable Growth

The Minister of Emergency Management, Gen (Rtd) Albert Murasira, said sustainable development requires strong foundations. These include reliable infrastructure, clear laws, quality services, and good governance. He also stressed that collaboration between the Government and the private sector is essential for inclusive and long-lasting development.

Increasing Agricultural Output

The district plans to use all idle land to boost agricultural productivity by 50 percent. This strategy aligns with efforts to attract agro-processing industries.

Key Investment Areas

Nyaruguru says it needs more investors in tea, potatoes, and coffee farming. It also seeks investment in livestock feed production, hotels and accommodation, faith-based tourism, and renewable energy from the district’s rivers. The district thanked RDB for its continued support in attracting investors and promoting Nyaruguru’s development.