Visit Rwanda

Visit Rwanda.

There is a vibrancy here that goes beyond scenery. A relatively new economy built over the last three decades. Remarkable given the horror of the genocide just over thirty years ago. How far the country has come under great leadership and vision. A business environment that values long-term thinking and leverages international investment partners to make impact. An openness to ideas that is genuine. I saw it in studios, kitchens, classrooms, and everyday conversations. It becomes clear that Rwanda’s story today extends far beyond its complicated history or the nature.

Like most visitors, I was interested to see the gorillas. Trekking in the jungle is as close to being Tarzan or Jane as it gets. So close there was physical contact, intense and calm at the same time, I can see why people cross oceans for this experience. But they are only one part of a much larger picture. Rwanda is a country focused on building, learning, continuous improvement and connecting.

‍

What stood out immediately was the mindset. Rwanda is open for business, but not in a transactional way. There is a genuine effort to pair experience with ambition. Established leaders mentoring young founders. Artists, entrepreneurs, and operators sharing space and ideas. Progress here feels deliberate. The cleanest streets I’ve ever seen in any country on any continent. Creative in mission driven leadership and culture.

The creative energy is visible at places like GICA, the Global Institute for Creative Arts, where contemporary African art, experimentation, and education intersect. It is another example of how Rwanda is investing in platforms that elevate talent, encourage dialogue, and create room for ideas to grow.

One of the clearest expressions of this approach came through food. I spent time at the Culinary Innovation Village with Chef Dieuveil Malonga at MEZA Malonga. What he is building goes deeper than a restaurant. Education, culture, and economic opportunity are woven together. The culinary program teaches locals and visitors how contemporary African cuisine is being defined on its own terms. MEZA Malonga captures that balance perfectly. Tradition is honored without being constrained by it. Creativity is purposeful. Every dish feels considered and rooted in history.

I also met with Emery Rubagenga, whose perspective on cross-African collaboration reflects the same forward-looking energy I encountered throughout Rwanda. The ideas being shared here are not aspirational. They are practical, grounded, and ready to scale.

If you are interested in where culture, creativity, and business intersect with purpose, Rwanda and the gorillas are worth the trek.