Livestock farmers in Rulindo and Gakenke districts struggled to find a standardized abattoir to slaughter their animals, an issue Sina Gérard says he intended to solve.
He said: “This problem has begun to be addressed through a new modern abattoir completed in our Rulindo District, in the area known as Nyirangarama.”
This abattoir was built in accordance with the Government of Rwanda’s program, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, TradeMark Africa, and the International Trade Centre (ITC), called VIBE (Value Added Initiative to Boost Employment). This program helps to promote and instill food quality standards, aiming to create jobs that improve the lives of those in categories that often lack them, as well as youth, women, and people with disabilities. It is also a program aimed at helping small and medium enterprises, as well as those in market-oriented agriculture, to reach desired quality standards, thereby increasing the volume of Rwanda’s exports.
Aimée Elise Umuhoza, a veterinarian who assists in testing meat at this abattoir, says they monitor everything that could affect the quality and safety of the meat.
She says, “I secured a job and I am continuing to increase my knowledge.”
Elise was employed by Sina Gerard after completing training provided by RICA on monitoring livestock health and inspecting meat quality.
Dr. Simabarikure Gaspard, a RICA official in charge of inspection for hygiene, quality, and quarantine of animal products, explains that they continue to put efforts into building the capacity of private meat inspectors. He says it is an essential activity in supporting the country’s vision of building a knowledge-based economy, as well as creating jobs capable of competing on international markets.
He says: “In order to help deliver these services wherever they are needed in the country, the government has partnered with the private sector, particularly the youth, in providing the necessary quality services.”
This comes as the “Value-Added Initiative to Boost Employment” (VIBE) campaign was launched in Rwanda this March 22, 2026, aiming to promote industries, food quality, and job creation for citizens.
This abattoir is expected to instill meat quality standards and eliminate the long distances livestock used to travel to various abattoirs across the country.
