REPORT ON THE VISIT OF THE SENATE OF RWANDA
Commission on Social Affairs, Education, Technology and Youth
18–19 May 2026
On 18–19 May 2026, the Commission on Social Affairs, Education, Technology and Youth of the Senate of Rwanda visited Nyamagabe Agakiriro to assess its contribution to job creation, youth and women empowerment, industrial development, and community transformation.
During the visit, the Commission focused on the following key areas:
- Activities carried out in promoting entrepreneurship and job creation;
- The number of employees engaged in different categories such as permanent workers, casual laborers, youth, women, and men;
- The contribution of the Agakiriro, industrial zone, and workshops to employment opportunities for surrounding communities;
- The participation of youth and women in self-employment initiatives;
- The types of jobs available within the industrial area and the balance between jobs offered to Rwandans and foreigners;
- The number and quality of jobs created and their benefits to workers through decent and productive employment;
- Market access opportunities for products manufactured in the workshops and Agakiriro;
- The role of local authorities in supporting and promoting the activities of the Agakiriro;
- Existing challenges and strategies for improvement.
The Commission observed that various professional activities are carried out at Nyamagabe Agakiriro including:
- Carpentry and woodwork
- Welding and metal fabrication
- Painting and decoration
- Design and artwork
- Jewelry making
- Weaving
- Tailoring and sewing
Nyamagabe Agakiriro brings together approximately 83 people who participate daily in different production activities. The Agakiriro has significantly contributed to empowering local residents and people from other regions through vocational skills and employment opportunities.
A total of 81 trainees who passed the professional skills assessment organized by Prowood+, STECOMA, in collaboration with Rwanda TVET Board, immediately secured employment opportunities. Among them, 60 continued working directly within Nyamagabe Agakiriro.
The local government authorities maintain strong collaboration with Nyamagabe Agakiriro. The land where the Agakiriro is established belongs to the Government and was allocated to support the integration of artisans who were previously operating separately across the district.
Local authorities support the Agakiriro by:
- Providing information on modern innovations and development opportunities;
- Connecting artisans with financial institutions;
- Promoting products and activities through exhibitions and trade fairs.
The Commission also noted the important role played by youth volunteers working within Nyamagabe Agakiriro.
Contribution of Nyamagabe Agakiriro to the Rwandan Community
Nyamagabe Agakiriro contributes to social development through various community initiatives, including:
- Supporting the Government’s school feeding program (Dusangire Lunch) with a contribution of 2,626,000 RWF;
- Assisting local authorities in mobilizing citizens to subscribe to community-based health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) and long-term savings schemes (Ejo Heza), starting with workers operating within the Agakiriro;
- Providing equipment and support to a nearby Early Childhood Development (ECD) center.
Challenges Facing Nyamagabe Agakiriro
The Commission identified several challenges affecting the growth of the Agakiriro, including:
- Limited working space due to the increasing number of artisans and growing business activities;
- The Agakiriro being located on government-owned land, limiting long-term infrastructure development and expansion;
- Lack of systems to recycle and utilize waste and by-products generated from workshop activities.
Strategies and Future Plans
To address these challenges and ensure sustainable growth, the following strategies were highlighted:
- Developing new projects that will strengthen and expand the activities of Nyamagabe Agakiriro;
- Enhancing the skills and professional knowledge of artisans working within the Agakiriro through continuous training and capacity building programs.
The Senate Commission appreciated the important contribution of Nyamagabe Agakiriro in promoting employment, entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and socio-economic development within Nyamagabe District and Rwanda at large.
