Leaders in Nyaruguru District are urging both local and external investors to take advantage of rapidly growing economic opportunities in Kibeho, particularly in hospitality, financial services, and infrastructure, as the area experiences a sharp rise in religious tourism.
The call was made by Janvier Gashema, the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, during a broad investment meeting that brought together Nyaruguru-based investors, district authorities, officials from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and other national development stakeholders.
The forum aimed to assess the district’s current progress and discuss ways to accelerate growth.
Gashema highlighted that the number of annual visitors to Kibeho has doubled in recent years—from 600,000 pilgrims to 1.2 million in 2025.
He said this surge has exposed significant gaps in accommodation, with many visitors forced to sleep outside due to limited lodging capacity.
“People cannot be spending nights outside, and they should not be forced to leave immediately because there is nowhere to sleep,” Gashema noted.
“We need investors to put up sufficient lodging facilities and hotels so that visitors have comfortable places to stay and spend their money.”
He added that investment is also needed in financial services, including currency exchange offices, to ensure that foreign visitors have convenient access to money exchange services—currently a major gap.
Retired Major General Albert Murasira, the Government’s focal point for Nyaruguru, officially opened the investor forum. He told the media that the district has made remarkable progress:
“Nyaruguru has come from far,” he said, emphasizing improvements in both the industrial sector and tourism.
However, Murasira stressed that stronger collaboration between the private sector and local authorities is still needed.
“Based on where the district was and where it is now, progress is clear,” he added. “But this is the moment to put in place stronger, more coordinated strategies to ensure even faster development.”
The officials emphasized that consistent cooperation between local leaders and private investors is essential. They said the purpose of the meeting was to determine how such collaboration can be strengthened.
They agreed that achieving this would give investors the confidence to expand their activities in Nyaruguru—investing “with enthusiasm.”
Michelle Umurungi, RDB’s Deputy CEO in charge of investment, also emphasized the importance of local participation. She said residents of Nyaruguru should not rely solely on outside investors but should actively engage in developing their district.
She encouraged them not only to focus on Kibeho but also to invest in potato farming, value addition, and the potential offered by Nyungwe National Park.
“Nyaruguru is a district that has not yet fully attracted long-term investment across many sectors,” she said. “There are many opportunities waiting to be explored.”
On behalf of RDB, Umurungi assured participants that the institution will continue supporting investment in Nyaruguru—through tax incentives, investment facilitation, and promotion of local projects.
Nyaruguru District is home to about 340,000 residents, most of whom depend on agriculture. The district currently hosts four factories.
