On 31 January 2023, a culture-focused “Heritage Hub” officially opened its doors to young Rwandans in Kigali, Rwanda. The Rwanda Heritage Hub, a joint initiative of Rome-based ICCROM (the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) and Inteko y'Umuco– Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA) was officially launched at Kandt House Museum in Nyarugenge District.

The Rwanda Heritage Hub will be a starting ground for stimulating cultural heritage-related businesses, providing opportunities for gaining skills and capacities, and will serve as a home base for regional heritage-related communications.

Rwanda is rich in cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. At the same time, its creative industries are expanding and gaining recognition. Over the last decade, the country's growing economy has helped boost its cultural tourism. However, a more holistic approach is needed to ensure long-term economic and social development and protect Rwanda's cultural heritage.

The 31 January high-level kick-off event engaged the Director General of RCHA, Amb. Robert Masozera, and Mr Webber Ndoro, Director-General of ICCROM.

On the behalf of the Honourable Rosemary Mbabazi, Minister of Youth and Culture, the Director General of Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA), Amb. Robert Masozera, saluted ICCROM for having chosen Rwanda as one of the African countries to pilot the African Heritage Hubs.

Amb. Mazosera described the critical role the heritage hub is playing in promoting and safeguarding Rwanda’s cultural heritage saying: “Here in Rwanda, we are in a better position to testify to the value and importance of African Heritage Hubs, as we have already launched our Rwandan Heritage Hub, and we have started to see the first results.” He said.

Dr. Webber Ndoro, the Director General of ICCROM, said that the youth are the future and most African youth are not employed.

Ndoro said: “We have to engage our youth in something useful, heritage itself is important especially to us as Africans, and this is why we started the hub in an innovative way of generating income and getting hands-on experience.”

On 28 November 2022, the Rwanda Heritage Hub launched its first event – the “Incubation Laboratory” – which initiated a long-term project to support forty Rwandan youth’s ventures into digital entrepreneurship based on promoting cultural heritage and developing innovative products. These young people are taking part in training on emerging digital technologies, successful business practices, and the basics of Rwandan cultural heritage and cultural heritage management. The heritage-related courses include excursions to heritage sites to gain on-the-ground knowledge. These skills and experiences will benefit the participants economically and their local cultural heritage.  

The Rwanda Heritage Hub is one of several ICCROM Heritage Hubs established in four African countries – Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa – with more on the way. The goal is to create economic value, invest in social and human capital, and foster innovation and creativity within the heritage sector in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

On 31 January 2023, a culture-focused “Heritage Hub” officially opened its doors to young Rwandans in Kigali, Rwanda. The Rwanda Heritage Hub, a joint initiative of Rome-based ICCROM (the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) and Inteko y'Umuco– Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA) was officially launched at Kandt House Museum in Nyarugenge District.

The Rwanda Heritage Hub will be a starting ground for stimulating cultural heritage-related businesses, providing opportunities for gaining skills and capacities, and will serve as a home base for regional heritage-related communications.

Rwanda is rich in cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. At the same time, its creative industries are expanding and gaining recognition. Over the last decade, the country's growing economy has helped boost its cultural tourism. However, a more holistic approach is needed to ensure long-term economic and social development and protect Rwanda's cultural heritage.

The 31 January high-level kick-off event engaged the Director General of RCHA, Amb. Robert Masozera, and Mr Webber Ndoro, Director-General of ICCROM.

On the behalf of the Honourable Rosemary Mbabazi, Minister of Youth and Culture, the Director General of Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA), Amb. Robert Masozera, saluted ICCROM for having chosen Rwanda as one of the African countries to pilot the African Heritage Hubs.

Amb. Mazosera described the critical role the heritage hub is playing in promoting and safeguarding Rwanda’s cultural heritage saying: “Here in Rwanda, we are in a better position to testify to the value and importance of African Heritage Hubs, as we have already launched our Rwandan Heritage Hub, and we have started to see the first results.” He said.

Dr. Webber Ndoro, the Director General of ICCROM, said that the youth are the future and most African youth are not employed.

Ndoro said: “We have to engage our youth in something useful, heritage itself is important especially to us as Africans, and this is why we started the hub in an innovative way of generating income and getting hands-on experience.”