The Utexrwa is the oldest local fabric manufacturer. As the only large-scale textile mill in Rwanda, UTEXRWA plays a critical role in establishing the local textile and apparel value chain, developing a large skilled labor force, contributing to import substitution, and meeting the local demands of security forces and others.

Employee inside the UTEXRWA ( PHOTO- Diana Zeyneb)

 Utexrwa offers its client's mass production from an extensive line of over varieties of garments and made-ups produced from cotton, synthetic and blended fabrics for protective clothing and accessories to meet the needs of everyday wear and tear in the defence, fire fighting, medical, school, commercial, home and industrial workforce, as well as eco-friendly home furnishings to protect you from dust , heat, water and infectious bacteria.

Employee inside the UTEXRWA ( PHOTO- Diana Zeyneb)

Utexrwa buys its cotton from Uganda and Tanzania, its chemicals are from India, dyes from Europe, and Polyester from China, India, and Indonesia, which all drive up costs. The most direct competitors to UTEXRWA are coming from outside Africa. UTEXRWA has advantages in meeting local market demands for customization, timely delivery, and service. Given the investment capital required to start a textile mill in Rwanda, local competition for high-volume garment production is unlikely in the near term.

 According to the management of the UTEXRWA, the primary focus will remain on institutional garment production. Producing at larger volumes allows the company to maximize profits and avoid artisan competitors. Developing a sales campaign and sales force for the school market is essential for the fragmented market share of this segment.

In 2018 the Utexrwa won the Rwanda Defense Force-RDF uniform tender, urged to produce more

UTEXRWA Updates in December 2023

UTEXRWA, Rwanda’s only textile producing company has secured a $400,000 that will facilitate the production of at least 70, 000 malaria bed nets. These will make the company the only textile firm that manufactures the treated bio-nets for local people. “We are ready to produce the first 70,000 nets in two weeks time from now and we produce the second phase in May 2010. Another 70,000 nets.” said Raj Rajendran Utexrwa’s Managing Director in an interview with The New Times.

Employee inside the UTEXRWA ( PHOTO- Diana Zeyneb)

The project has been boosted by support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Bralirwa, and the Ministry of Health which have provided technical and financial support.  Rajendran revealed that the production line has already been installed and technicians have been undergoing training. According to Rajendran, their ultimate target is to invest $12 million in 3-4 years with an aim of employing 2,000 employees from the current 740.

He revealed that the project will have the capacity to produce over 12 million nets per year for local and the export markets. He also said that there is a huge demand on the continent this year and hence Rwanda will have a capacity of producing for local and regional export.

John Peter Moll currently the Thailand Textile Institute advisor, said that UTEXRWA has all it takes to manufacture the nets. Peter Moll was sponsored by UNIDO Rwanda as an expert to offer technical advise. “I’m very confident that Rwanda will be able to run the project and UTEXRWA has good environment for the project as it has been having good progress in its products,” Peter Moll said.

He further said that Rwanda will be the only country to produce long lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINS) which have high demand.

Employee inside the UTEXRWA ( PHOTO- Diana Zeyneb)

By the RCFS's Media