Kivu Beach Festival Triggers Urgent Economic Development Push in Rutsiro

Preparations for the 2025 Kivu Beach Expo & Festival have become a catalyst for economic and infrastructure development in Rutsiro, bringing together local authorities, businesses, and communities to ensure the district is ready to host the event along Lake Kivu from December 9 to 15.

According to Emmanuel Uwizeyimana, Rutsiro’s Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, the festival aligns perfectly with the district’s long-term vision.

“Our goal is for Rutsiro to become a district sustained by advanced agriculture and a thriving tourism sector,” he said.

“Agriculture has already seen significant progress, with strong production in tea, coffee, potatoes, maize, and other crops. Tourism, however, has not yet reached its full potential, despite the district’s seven sectors along Lake Kivu, growing hotel infrastructure, and beautiful sandy beaches that will host activities such as beach volleyball during the festival.” He added.

Uwizeyimana highlighted the festival’s strategic economic role. “This festival will help us promote the district, attract investors, and support our residents in improving their livelihoods,” he said.

“Visitors bring revenue through the services they use and the products they buy locally, contributing directly to Rutsiro’s development”. He noted.

The urgency of the festival also created momentum to tackle long-standing infrastructure challenges.

In recent weeks, the district coordinated a major effort with hotel operators, business owners, private companies, and community members to open, level, and rehabilitate the road from Gahabwa to Lake Kivu, passing by Palega Beach Inn, continuing to Hon. Chrisologue’s building in Kinunu, and on to Hon. Nyiramirimo’s site, where Expo & Festival activities are planned.

Yves Iyaremye, Director of Yirunga Ltd and organizer of the festival, confirmed that preparations are well advanced.

“The roads leading to the festival sites are now fully ready,” he said. He also highlighted that the festival would combine tourism, culture, sports, and business.

For the first time in Rutsiro, boat parties will take place on Lake Kivu on December 13 and 14. Attendees will also enjoy performances by Rwandan artists including Theo Bosebabireba, Platini P, Papa Cyangwe, Young Grace, Impala, Igisupusupu, and Mico The Best.

Support from sponsors such as Bralirwa ensures that logistics, transport, and entertainment are fully organized.

The festival’s program will showcase Rutsiro’s natural and economic assets. Visitors can participate in hiking, swimming competitions, boat races, and beach volleyball, as well as tours of coffee farms and biodiversity sites in Boneza.

The Expo will feature Made in Rwanda products, crafts, and agricultural innovations, promoting local entrepreneurship and production.

For Uwizeyimana, the festival’s significance extends beyond the week of festivities. Improved access, visitor influx, and economic activity are expected to attract future investment, stimulate local commerce, and create jobs.

“In summary, we see this festival contributing in three ways: promoting Rutsiro, attracting investors, and helping our residents improve their livelihoods,” he said.

Both the district leadership and the festival organizers agree that the Kivu Beach Expo & Festival is more than an event. It is a strategic economic intervention, designed to raise Rutsiro’s profile, stimulate business, and demonstrate that the district is ready for large-scale tourism and cultural initiatives.