Cultural Tourism in Focus as Rutsiro Prepares to Host Kivu Beach Expo 2025

Rutsiro District is intensifying preparations for the much-anticipated Kivu Beach Expo & Festival 2025, a regional tourism and cultural showcase expected to attract thousands of visitors and elevate the district’s profile as a growing destination on the Lake Kivu shoreline.

Scheduled for December 9 to 15, 2025, the Expo and Festival is being organized in partnership with Yirunga Ltd and forms part of a broader promotional circuit that will span five districts along Lake Kivu: Rubavu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Rusizi and Nyamasheke. The initiative aims to highlight the region’s economic opportunities, cultural richness and environmental assets.

Activities will take place across several locations, including the vast garden of Palega Beach Inn, which is already being prepared to host exhibitors and entertainment, and Bugarura Island, home to about 2,000 residents, where cultural activities and nature-based experiences will be featured.

A Strategic Push for Tourism Growth

At a recent coordination meeting held in the District, Rutsiro District Mayor, Dative Kayitesi, reaffirmed their commitment to using the Expo as a catalyst for development.

She emphasized that the event is designed not only as entertainment but also as a strategic tool to attract investment, support local enterprises and strengthen Rutsiro’s brand as a tourism hub.

“We want the Kivu Beach Expo to become an annual platform that draws investors, showcases our hospitality services and promotes Made-in-Rwanda products,” Mayor Kayitesi said during the planning session.

She noted that the event will reinforce local revenue generation, expand markets for homegrown products and create new opportunities for artisans, farmers and tourism operators.

Showcasing Culture, Business and Natural Beauty

This year’s edition is expected to bring together exhibitors from sectors such as tourism, agriculture, crafts and hospitality, alongside cultural performances, artistic showcases and lakeside recreational activities.

According to Yves Iyaremye, the Director of Yirunga Ltd, the Expo is being positioned as a green tourism festival emphasizing conservation, community participation and sustainable economic growth.

For the first time in Rutsiro’s history, the festival will include a Boat Party to be held on Lake Kivu during the week of the Expo. Adventurers and fitness enthusiasts will also enjoy a 20-kilometre hiking competition, which will launch the festival and conclude at Palega Beach Inn.

Economic Stakes for Rutsiro

Officials say the district hopes to harness the influx of visitors to drive broader economic growth. The Expo is expected to boost investment in hospitality, real estate and nature-based tourism, while also expanding markets for local products such as crafts, coffee and other agricultural goods.

Rutsiro also anticipates increased hotel occupancy and the development of new tourism circuits that highlight the district’s scenic attractions. In addition, the event will provide a platform to strengthen SME growth through exhibitions and business networking, while helping to raise public awareness about government services and district development programs.

Growing Excitement Ahead of December

Across Rutsiro, excitement is building as hoteliers, traders, artists and youth cooperatives prepare to take advantage of the commercial and networking opportunities the Expo will bring. Local leaders say they are determined to deliver an event that both celebrates Rutsiro’s identity and strengthens community engagement in economic activities.

With its breathtaking landscapes, cultural heritage and strategic location along one of Rwanda’s most captivating lakes, Rutsiro hopes the Kivu Beach Expo & Festival 2025 will mark a turning point, transforming the district into a vibrant hub of tourism, investment and cultural exchange.