By Seif Shaggy Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali,Rwanda,
Beyond processing pumpkins into bakery products, Iwacu Bakery Solutions Ltd continues to play a key role in helping young people acquire practical skills and employment.
The factory was founded by Valens Ruhorimbere, a graduate in Food Science and Technology from the University of Rwanda, after observing that large quantities of pumpkins were being harvested but lacked a market and the value addition needed to make them profitable.
He says, “I realized that pumpkins offered a real opportunity to add value to local farm yields while creating sustainable jobs for young people. It was a crop readily available in our fields, yet completely neglected as a viable commercial commodity.”
Ruhorimbere used the knowledge he acquired from university to establish Iwacu Bakery Solutions Ltd, operating under the brand name IHANGO Maxima. The company processes pumpkins into bread, cakes, and a specialized flour aimed at promoting healthy living among citizens and reducing post-harvest losses for farmers.
In partnership with UPHLS, the factory has trained approximately 120 young people from Gatsibo District. Among them are 70 girls and women, as well as 30 persons with disabilities, all of whom received hands-on training in baking and other bakery production operations.
Among those trained is Eliezer Manirareba, a young man with a disability who joined the factory seeking vocational training.
Ruhorimbere noted that before coming to the factory, finding employment was difficult for him due to societal perceptions of people with disabilities. After receiving training and job placement, he demonstrated exceptional ability to the extent of becoming one of the top-performing employees.
Referring to this example, Ruhorimbere says, “It showed me that ‘Disability is not inability.’ When people are given equal opportunities, they deliver remarkable results.”
Initially, the factory operated on a small scale due to a lack of adequate equipment and modern processing facilities. Later, it secured a Matching Grant funded through the Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project (SAIP).
The project was valued at RWF 101,239,532, with SAIP providing 70% of the budget and Ruhorimbere contributing 30%.
Explaining the impact of the grant, Ruhorimbere said, “Before receiving the SAIP Matching Grant, we lacked modern machinery and had low production capacity. The funding enabled us to build a modern processing plant and acquire essential industrial machinery to scale up high-quality output.”
To date, the factory has employed 17 permanent staff members and more than 20 casual workers, while also serving as a reliable market for pumpkin farmers.
Furthermore, the factory holds a Food Operation License issued by Rwanda FDA and is in the final stages of receiving the RSB S-Mark quality certification after submitting all required laboratory tests.
In conclusion, Ruhorimbere encourages the youth to launch projects that address community challenges.
He says, “Do not be afraid to start. Begin with what you have, solve a real community problem, stay purposeful, and keep learning. Funding and opportunities naturally follow a solid idea and persistent hard work.”
