The Rotary Club is seeking to expand its community development initiatives through partnerships aimed at addressing local needs, empowering vulnerable groups and creating opportunities for young people, as Rwanda positions itself for a bigger role in international motorsport.
Charles Habba, representing the Rotary Club, said the organisation wants to use its network and partnerships to support practical community projects, particularly those targeting children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
He explained that the club’s work goes beyond bringing people together, focusing instead on identifying challenges within communities and mobilising resources to address them.
The club, which started with 14 founding members, is exploring initiatives that could use sports as a tool for inclusion, including activities supporting children living with disabilities and those battling cancer.
Habba also highlighted the importance of partnerships in delivering community projects, pointing to a possible collaboration involving access to piped water in Bugesera as an example of how Rotary can contribute to improving people’s living conditions.
He said the club is interested in working with other organisations, institutions and individuals willing to support initiatives that respond to community priorities.
Beyond traditional community service, the discussions also touched on Rwanda’s growing motorsport ambitions and the opportunities that could emerge from the country’s efforts to attract major international racing events.
Christian Gakwaya, President of the Rwanda Automobile Club, said motorsport should not be viewed exclusively as a competition for professional drivers or wealthy enthusiasts, but as an industry capable of creating opportunities across several professional fields.
He pointed out that motorsport requires engineers, mechanics, technicians, vehicle specialists, event managers and other professionals, creating room for young people to build careers beyond driving.
Gakwaya emphasised the importance of establishing academic and technical pathways that can prepare young Rwandans to participate in the sector, including through specialised training and partnerships with educational institutions.
He also highlighted the potential for local vehicle manufacturing and automotive innovation, arguing that Rwanda’s motorsport ambitions should contribute to developing domestic technical capacity rather than relying entirely on imported expertise.
However, he noted that achieving these ambitions requires investment in infrastructure, skills development and a supportive environment for the automotive industry.
The broader vision is to ensure that major sporting ambitions translate into lasting economic and social benefits, including employment, technical knowledge, entrepreneurship and opportunities for young people.
For Rotary, the community dimension remains central: ensuring that development initiatives reach people who need support and that partnerships produce tangible improvements in people’s lives.
The convergence of community service, sports and economic development presents an opportunity for organisations to work together in building a more inclusive future for Rwanda.
