Why some people shun hand-made products?

2013-02-15T05:21:00.001-08:00

Most of people think that products that are hand- made like sculptures, featured, paintings, woven baskets, woven furnishing and other hand- made from natural things are for outsiders from other countries as it is seen in rooms and other hand crafts selling place where a great number of customers are outsiders.

Joyce MUKAMWIZA a woman we found in Ikazeshowroom buying ladies accessories told us that the reason of not finding Rwandans buying things from their own crafts is that they are very expensive even if they are of good quality but some prefer buying things for cheaper price than seeing its qualities. “ I encourage Rwandan to buy hand craft products because it is one of showing that we are developing and no longer colonized by Europeans and even if they of high price they are also of high quality.” Said MUKAMWIZA.

Nyiramugwera Consolatrice an old woman living in Kanombe sector told us that some Rwandan don’t recognize their culture because she sees hand craft products as a very important tool in constructing Rwandan culture and that some don’t care what it symbolizes in culture like uduseke( woven baskets) where you can develop them and bring money for you in conserving also your culture.

KANYANKORE Patrick a young person who sells followers in Kigali said that sculpture used as ornament are not looking good as flowers in addition he said that those hand craft are very expensive the reason why he prefers using flowers instead of sculpture. Kanyankore as a businessman man said if you want to develop you business you based on what your customers like and what they will be able to buy to satisfy their basic needs

The director of IKAZE SHOWROOM, Albert NIZEYIMANA told us that the biggest challenge they face during their business is that 75% of their customers are not Rwandan and if you ae doing business in country where the owners of that country are not interested in it is difficult for you to have a gain incomes. He also told us this challenge is due to Rwandan culture of always thinking that things from abroad are well fabricated than internal materials from their own hand making. He also add that they have to contribute in development of our country and if you like buying only materials from abroad you are not helping your neighbor to develop his business.

As improvements the director of Ikazeshowroom told us that they will do more sensitizations, marketing and continue doing things of good quality in order to attract rwandans also to like product of their hand crafts.

2013-02-14T05:47:00.001-08:00

Fashion industry in Rwanda: ignored but lucrative!

By Twishime Jean Claude

“A big number of people ignore it but it’s a very successful business; fashion industry business” said MUKAMA Augustin, the manager of WINNERS SHOP , a trendy BOUTIQUE located in Kigali city, opposite the Commercial Bank of Rwanda head office.


Men's shoes in Winners


women's dresses in Winner

Since 2004, Winners shop has been importing fashion designs for women and men from abroad. Most people in Kigali are conscious of new trends in clothing and general life styles. Across Kigali, fashion industry is now of a significance business; all fashion businesses are currently present: Clothing boutique, trendy restaurants, accessories of different kinds boutiques, technological tools boutiques, good places for entertainment and so many other services related to fashion.

As any other business, from the very beginning Winners shop targeted to provide Rwandans, especially people living in Kigali, with quality products and brands from the industry in order to fight against second hand clothes. ‘The idea for launching the business came when we were seeing people wearing old fashioned clothes and boring ones, then we decided to initiate a business that can not only provide the winning look to the people but also job provider’ said Augustin, the manager of Winners shop.

When asked about challenges they meet in their business, SHEMA Augustin the Winners shop manager told us that apart from economic related crisis which is everywhere currently there is no any other challenge. The manager went explaining how this business made them succeed as long they were working providing credible brands: “we developed a loyal customer base, which led to the very significant benefits; we stared working in uncomfortable place now we are working, selling our imports in this nice and comfortable house.

Augustin continued saying that their business provided job to some people which the manager believes it’s one of a good goal achieved. Fashion in the sense now being a business requires designs made with attention to detail and aesthetic sensibility. Talking about their future plans, the Winners shop manager confirmed that they looking forward to extend their business within provinces, especially South in Butare and in the North, Gisenyi.

This is perfectly fine, of course; providing access to affordable clothing and other fashion related services is a noble goal. But, unfortunately, this goal was changed a long time by the rise of irresponsible consumer behavior that has transformed the act of shopping into a leisure activity. By all means, if you are willing to buy into this collaboration, But if this has become your idea of fashion, people are urged to consider their economic resources when shopping.

The Rwandan government as undertaken different reforms aimed at creating a favorable business climate and is ranked high among fast doing business reformer. Among the core areas of opportunities that strongly focus on all life styles business, all depending on investor requirement.

Business in Rwanda

Why some people shun hand-made products?