On November 3, 2026, Rwanda's Prime Minister, Dr. Nsengiyumva Justin, officially opened the 26th Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Expo at Gikondo Expo Ground. The expo, which runs from October 30 to November 8, 2026, aims to promote value addition in leather products, horticulture, and floriculture. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of MSMEs in driving Rwanda's economy, creating jobs, and fostering innovation.
Dr. Nsengiyumva Justin emphasized that MSMEs are a crucial pillar of Rwanda's economy, providing employment opportunities, driving innovation, and creating wealth, particularly for women and youth. He noted that these enterprises face challenges, including limited access to finance, markets, and cross-border trade. To address these challenges, the Prime Minister called for increased investment in leather processing to meet local demand and boost exports.
The Prime Minister highlighted that Rwanda's target is to create 250,000 jobs annually and increase exports of horticulture and leather products from $1.4 billion to $3.2 billion within five years. He stressed that achieving these targets requires collaboration with neighboring countries and addressing trade barriers, including double taxation, customs procedures, and transportation infrastructure.
Dr. Nsengiyumva Justin noted that Rwanda's leather processing industry is currently producing only 6,000 pairs of shoes per year, a figure he considers low given the country's population of 14 million. He called for increased investment in the sector to meet local demand and boost exports. The Prime Minister emphasized that Africa's future depends on its ability to integrate and harness its economic potential.
The MSME Expo, which features over 500 exhibitors, provides a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their products, network, and access finance and markets. The event is organized by the Rwanda Development Board and the Private Sector Federation. Dr. Nsengiyumva Justin encouraged MSMEs to take advantage of the expo to access new markets, technologies, and partnerships.
The Prime Minister's call for increased investment in leather processing is part of Rwanda's efforts to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on traditional sectors. The country's Vision 2050 aims to transform Rwanda into a middle-income economy by 2050. Dr. Nsengiyumva Justin emphasized that achieving this goal requires a concerted effort from the public and private sectors to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment.
The expo has attracted visitors from across the East African region, providing a platform for networking and business opportunities. As the event comes to a close, exhibitors are expected to follow up on leads and partnerships generated during the expo. The success of the MSME Expo is seen as a crucial step towards promoting economic growth and development in Rwanda and the wider East African region.
Key points
- Rwanda's Prime Minister, Dr. Nsengiyumva Justin, has called for increased investment in leather processing to meet local demand and boost exports.
- The country's target is to create 250,000 jobs annually and increase exports of horticulture and leather products from $1.4 billion to $3.2 billion within five years.
- The 26th MSME Expo, which took place at Gikondo Expo Ground, aimed to promote value addition in leather products, horticulture, and floriculture.
