The presence of universities in Huye District has become a key driver of local economic development, benefiting business owners who serve the growing student population. With increasing enrollments at the University of Rwanda’s Huye campus and IPRC-Huye, demand for goods and services has surged.
Over the past four years, the University of Rwanda’s Huye campus has grown from 11,000 to 14,000 students. Similarly, IPRC-Huye has expanded its academic programs, attracting more students.
This rise in student numbers has directly contributed to increased economic activity, particularly in areas surrounding these institutions.
ALSO READ: Importance of UR Huye campus to proximate residents
While talking to The Kaminuza Star, local entrepreneurs acknowledge the significant role universities play in sustaining their businesses.
Hamza Iradukunda, an accommodation provider in Huye, shares how student demand has fueled his financial growth.
“Honestly, the University of Rwanda plays a big role in our daily economic activities. I accommodate more than 60 people in my accommodations, almost all of them are university students, and I earn more than 400,000 Rwandan francs monthly from this business,” he said.
Iradukunda plans to expand his business and address housing shortages in the district, making it easier for university students who live far from their campuses.
“I have a budget for building many houses that could fix the problem of house shortages that we sometimes face,” he added.
Other business owners share similar experiences. Ibrahim Nshimiyimana, who runs a grocery store at Madina Center, highlights the growing number of customers from the university.
“It is visible in recent years that we are benefiting from having many customers as a result of the rising number of students who study at Huye campus. I sell foodstuffs, and I always go to the wholesaler to bring more products to meet student demand,” he said.
However, Nshimiyimana also points out the seasonal nature of the business, emphasizing the impact of university holidays.
“When students leave for the holidays, many of us have to close our businesses because they are our main customers,” he added.
Selaphine Mukamugenzi, a businesswoman specializing in mattresses and accessories, also acknowledges the university’s contribution to her success.
“We cannot overlook the impact of these institutions on our businesses. I earn a lot from students, especially when new ones arrive—they are my main customers for mattresses,” she said.
Beyond daily transactions, university events further stimulate the local economy.
Gervais Butera Bagabe, Huye’s Private Sector Federation (PSF) coordinator, notes that graduation ceremonies bring in many visitors who spend money on goods and services, benefiting the entire business community.
“We benefit from them, for example, in graduation ceremonies, where students are accompanied by their parents and family relatives. All of them consume our products, which leads to development,” he said.
Recognizing the impact of universities on the district’s economy, local authorities encourage business owners to maintain high standards of service.
Ange Sebutege, the Mayor of Huye District, emphasizes the importance of good customer care, urging businesses to enhance service delivery to sustain and expand their clientele.
“We really know how much we gain from the University of Rwanda, but to keep working at this level, we have to improve customer care in order to increase the number of clients,” the mayor said.
Besides other factors driving Huye District’s economy, it is also known for its agricultural production, particularly coffee, with Huye Mountain Coffee being one of the prominent players in Rwanda’s coffee industry.
By Pichou Byiringiro / The Kaminuza Star