The 28th Kigali International Trade Fair officially opened on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, turning the Expo Grounds in Gikondo into a vibrant hub of business, innovation and ideas.
This annual event has steadily cemented its status as one of the most important platforms where Rwandan and international entrepreneurs converge to explore opportunities, forge partnerships and showcase products.
What makes this year’s edition particularly noteworthy is the growing visibility and influence of young business minds.
Organizers have deliberately allocated more exhibition space to youth-led enterprises, giving them a rare opportunity to interact directly with new markets and broaden their ambitions.
According to the Chairperson of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), such a move demonstrates a strong commitment to nurturing young enterprise and sustaining Rwanda’s economic trajectory.
“It is valuable to see young investors also being given a platform. It shows that the future of our trade lies in the hands of the youth. We are also happy to see people in the construction materials sector being granted space, as it is a rapidly growing area,” he said.
A total of 475 exhibitors from 19 different countries, including 378 local entrepreneurs, are taking part in this year’s fair. Expectations are high, with projections indicating more than half a million visitors by the time doors close on August 17.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry believes that this surge in participation is proof of the Expo’s growing power to connect emerging enterprises with both regional and global opportunities.
Youth participation continues to be celebrated not simply as a gesture of inclusion but as a sign of rising impact.
Antoine Marie Kajangwe, the Permanent Secretary at MINICOM, insists that the rapid emergence of young entrepreneurs and formerly small businesses signals real transformation driven by trade.
He emphasises that Expo 2025 supports Vision 2050 by enabling collaboration, innovation and growth.
“Although we have already accomplished a lot, the journey continues. We must keep working together with various partners to accelerate our path to self-reliance and development,” he said during the launch.
As the gates open daily from 9:00am to 10:00pm, Rwanda’s youthful exhibitors continue to take their place at the forefront of national development.
The Expo is not just a showcase, but a springboard, proving that the next generation of Rwandan business leaders is already here, ready and eager to shape the future.
