The Mayor of Nyamasheke District has announced that in the past five months, the district has received over ten investors interested in building hotels, following the recent approval of its new master plan.
He revealed this during a graduation ceremony for more than 80 students who completed hospitality training offered for free by Sangira Talent Pool, an institution that equips high school graduates with practical hotel service skills.
Nyamasheke is one of Rwanda’s districts with great but largely untapped potential in tourism and hospitality. Despite its rich natural attractions, it still has a limited number of hotels. Out of its 15 sectors, ten are located along Lake Kivu, while the remaining five border Nyungwe National Park with one sector uniquely positioned to touch both the lake and the park.
Among the investors planning to build in the district is Bobito Masanga, the founder of Sangira Talent Pool. He intends to construct a five-star hotel that will also serve as a training center, offering international-standard hospitality education to young Rwandans.
Masanga, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said his decision to invest in Nyamasheke was influenced by the district’s tourism potential and by personal ties.
“Another reason is that this is my mother’s home area,” he explained.
Nyamasheke District Mayor Mupenzi Narcisse described the area as one of Rwanda’s most beautiful tourism destinations.
Our district is made up of 15 sectors 10 along Lake Kivu and five bordering Nyungwe National Park. One of them even connects both. Linking the park and the lake, along with the district’s hilly terrain, makes this a perfect place for tourism and hotel investment,” he said.
Visitors to Nyamasheke also enjoy the district’s vibrant coffee and tea plantations it has the highest tree density in Rwanda and is home to tea grown along the scenic edges of Nyungwe Forest.
Despite these assets, the district currently has fewer than ten hotels a situation the local leadership attributes to delays in obtaining an official master plan.
Mayor Mupenzi added that since the plan’s approval by the District Council, interest from investors has surged:
“Since May, we’ve welcomed over ten investors who have already bought land, while others are still organizing finances and feasibility plans. Clearly, this momentum is growing,” he said.
Author: Justimind HARERIMANA
