Will Kuza Africa Unite and Sustainably Transform Rwanda's Fashion Industry?

As Rwanda's fashion industry continues to evolve, Kuza Africa has emerged as a catalyst for change, aiming to bridge crucial gaps in the sector. "As I reflect on 2024, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that allowed me to grow, connect, and contribute to the creative industry. This year has been filled with meaningful experiences that have reinforced my commitment to empowering Africa's creative talent," said Maximilien Kolbe Uwayo Hategekimana, Founder and CEO of Kuza Africa.

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On January 26, 2025, Hategekimana announced his organization's achievements over the past year, highlighting various partnerships designed to strengthen Rwanda's fashion ecosystem. Kuza Africa's mission is to provide aspiring fashion and creative entrepreneurs across Africa with essential resources and opportunities for success.

The participants- fashion design students and speakers taking photos after the training organized by Kuza Africa and IPRC-Kigali in 2024 [Photo Credit: KA]

The organization has fostered several significant collaborations, including a panel discussion with Novelty Fashion Experience and Institut Français du Rwanda, bringing together industry experts to explore Africa's evolving fashion landscape. Through Simcubator Rwanda, Hategekimana served as a mentor, guiding aspiring entrepreneurs toward building sustainable creative businesses.

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Professional development has been a key focus, with Kuza Africa participating in intensive Incubators & Accelerators Management training through CAWA, a subsidiary of Agence Argile. A notable highlight was their visit to the House of Tayo, where they engaged with founder Matthew "Tayo" Rugamba, a pioneer in African fashion.

The organization's reach extended to educational institutions, with Kuza Africa collaborating with Dr. Fiona Uwamahoro, a PhD researcher at London College of Fashion, UAL, and LORD NOBLE from Asantii to deliver masterclasses at RP-Kigali College. These sessions equipped fashion design students with practical skills and industry knowledge.

From left, fashion expert and PhD researcher Fiona Uwahoro, and Mr. Maximilien Kolbe Uwayo Hategekimana, Chief Executive Officer of Kuza Africa  speaking during the discussion [Photo Credit: KA]

Additionally, Kuza Africa partnered with Institut Français du Rwanda and the French Embassy to conduct "Ready to Shoot," a filmmaking workshop for Inzu Films, aimed at empowering creatives to tell authentic African stories through TV series.

Founded by visionary entrepreneurs in Rwanda, Kuza Africa emphasizes circularity and sustainability in fashion. "We are re-imagining fashion as a regenerative industry by championing practices like digital design, upcycling, material reuse, and sustainable production methods. By embedding circular principles into our programs and partnerships, we aim to reduce waste, extend the lifecycle of materials, and promote an ecosystem where creativity and responsibility go hand in hand," the organization stated.

Fashion designers and exhibitors from Rwanda with Kuza Africa on the second day of the International Fair of Dakar (FIDAK 2024) in Senegal 

However, Rwanda's fashion industry faces several challenges. Despite initiatives like Kuza Africa, there remains a shortage of training opportunities for young and upcoming fashion designers. The sector also lacks cohesive collaboration between designers, entrepreneurs, and event producers. Unlike other countries where fashion councils facilitate industry coordination, Rwanda's attempts to establish such a body have faced unexplained barriers.

These challenges have led to concerns about isolation within the regional fashion community. One fashion enthusiast expressed frustration to RCS's journalist about Rwanda's apparent exclusion from British Council funding and training opportunities available to neighboring countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. "Yes, we have good investments and you can see some of our big fashion brands are doing well, but still they need to help small business houses or exchange opportunities. That's why some people have been saying there is counterfeiting in our fashion, with some upcoming fashion designers simply copying and pasting," the source noted.

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These concerns materialized in August 2024 when Moshions, a renowned Rwandan fashion brand, temporarily shut down its website due to counterfeiting issues. "We will be back soon on our e-commerce. Our sincere apologies to our online shopping family. MOSHIONS had to pause and reconstruct our online shopping experience due to unexpected high shopping traffic and fraud with fake copies of our styles from the website," the company announced.

ALSO READ: Moshions Claims Counterfeit Behind Their Brand in Rwanda: Who's to Blame?

As Kuza Africa continues its mission to professionalize the industry, its success in fostering partnerships and promoting sustainable practices may offer a blueprint for addressing these broader challenges facing Rwanda's fashion sector.

 Fashion Trends Africa by RCFS