Karongi District is seeking to turn its rich historical heritage and natural attractions into a stronger engine for tourism, investment and job creation.
The district says its location along Lake Kivu, proximity to Nyungwe National Park and wealth of cultural and historical sites give it an opportunity to develop a more diversified tourism economy that goes beyond lakeside attractions.
Karongi Mayor Gérald Muzungu said the district’s tourism strategy is centred on bringing together history, biodiversity, environmental conservation and private investment.
“We can talk about Karongi as a destination with integrated tourism based on history, the environment and biodiversity, both along the shores of Lake Kivu and around Nyungwe,” Muzungu said.
Among the historical attractions the district hopes to promote are Ndaba Rock, sites associated with King Rwabugiri and other locations linked to Rwanda’s history.
Karongi is also looking to capitalise on its access to Nyungwe National Park, the Gisovu tea estates and Lake Kivu to create a broader tourism circuit combining cultural, nature and leisure experiences.
But local authorities see tourism as more than a way of attracting visitors. They want increased investment in the sector to translate into jobs and business opportunities for residents.
“When investors come and invest, it creates jobs,” Muzungu said.
The district is also promoting stronger links between education institutions, industries and communities to ensure that local people have the skills needed to benefit from new investments.
Muzungu pointed to two international-standard industries producing wood-based products as examples of investments already contributing to the district’s industrial potential.
“We have two international-standard industries that produce wood-based products. They make quality products,” he said.
According to the mayor, the broader vision is to establish a local economic chain in which schools develop skills, industries provide opportunities for their application and residents gain employment.
The district is also seeking investment in hotels, water-based recreation, tourist transport and industries that can process local products.
For Karongi, combining its natural and historical assets with private investment could help transform tourism from a collection of attractions into a wider economic opportunity for local communities.
The district is therefore positioning itself as a destination where visitors can experience Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s history and surrounding biodiversity while investors find opportunities in tourism, manufacturing and value addition.
