Duval Group and Coopérative U Announce a Partnership in Rwanda

By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU

The Duval Group and Coopérative U announce the signing of a strategic partnership marking the arrival of the U brand in Rwanda. They also reveal that the first U Express store will open in early 2026 at the heart of Inzovu Mall, the country’s largest shopping center, designed and owned by the Duval Group.

Located in the Kimihurura neighborhood, next to the Kigali International Convention Center, Inzovu Mall is an iconic real estate project spanning 27,000 square meters. This versatile complex will include a shopping and entertainment center, a 4-star Odalys hotel, as well as a business center and modern offices.

This partnership aligns fully with the DNA of the Duval Group, which is founded on strong local roots and a commitment to creating sustainable value for the regions it serves. With its values of proximity, quality, and fair pricing, Coopérative U perfectly shares this development ambition.

The Duval Group and Coopérative U plan to open an additional 10 stores over the next five years, located in various cities across Rwanda.

To achieve this, they will recruit and train local talent, with a focus on empowerment and the development of professional careers. The Duval Group and Coopérative U also commit to supporting the local ecosystem to make a positive impact through commercial dynamism, collaboration with local suppliers, and structuring local agricultural value chains.

More than 500 direct jobs will be created through this partnership, further strengthening inclusion and economic development in the region.

“Inzovu Mall illustrates our vision: to undertake with and for regions, by creating shared value. Through this partnership and the upcoming opening of the U brand in Rwanda, we aim to provide customers with easier access to quality products, support the skill development of local talents, and actively contribute to the country’s growth,” declares Louis-Victor Duval, General Director of the Duval Group.

“This partnership with the Duval Group is an important new step in the strong development of our cooperative, including exports. With the arrival of U Stores in Rwanda, consumers will benefit from our value proposition: quality products at accessible prices,” states Dominique Schelcher, Chairman and CEO of Coopérative U.