During a recent visit to Rwanda, we visited some of our growth programmes for an extensive interview with their founders about the company, their lives and entrepreneurship in their country.

In the Rwandan countryside, Peace Niyoyita is changing her country. Inspired by the Rwandan meat shortage, this Tourism Management student turned entrepreneur is using pig farming as a susainable and efficient form of meat production. By distributing top quality semen to pig farmers all around Rwanda and training said farmers to work as efficiently as possible, Peace is introducing high yield - healthier and meatier - pig races to modernise and safeguard the future of Rwandan meat production.

Part 1: the work

Can you tell me a bit more about your company?

Peace Niyoyita: We started in 2017 with 10 pigs. From just these 10 pigs we received over 100 piglets, and that’s when I realized this business has great potential for expansion. Currently, we have over 400 pigs, along with 30 sows that consistently produce piglets for the market. In the past seven years, we’ve been recognized by the Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB), which has selected us as one of the leading pig farmers and semen distributors in the country. This is how we’ve been able to introduce pure breeds, allowing us to gradually replace the local breeds, which were not truly sustainable. As a result, over 122 pig farmers have completed their training program and successfully launched pig farms as a sustainable business model. Among those 122 farmers, we have different clusters: large-scale, small-scale, and medium-scale operations.

We're now starting to see these clusters grow and develop, thanks to pig farming. It’s something we are proud of, as it contributes to the development of the sector. We have around 30 of the purest breeds, which help farmers multiply these high-quality breeds. They are then able to distribute the semen, further expanding their operations. In these seven years of operation, our vision has been to become a key supplier to others. One challenge we’ve faced is the lack of a dedicated slaughterhouse, so we’ve made efforts to build one to meet our own needs. This will enable us to purchase pigs from other farmers and offer slaughtering services as well. As part of this vision, we are also committed to job creation. We currently employ 8 permanent staff and over 100 temporary workers, who work on our farms and in the maize and soy plantations.

What inspired you to choose this sector and work?

Peace: I chose pig farming because of the meat shortage in the country. The limited space available for raising cattle makes beef production challenging, as it requires significant land and a large supply of animal feed. Pigs reproduce rapidly and can provide meat in large quantities. The government's efforts aim to promote the culture of smallholder farmers to increase meat production across the country. 

Have there been any big milestones in the history of your company? What are you most proud of?

Peace: After three years, I concluded that this was the business I wanted to pursue, as there was a clear need in the market and I was providing a solution to a significant challenge. I became known as the go-to source for anyone looking to purchase pigs, which made me realize there was a high demand but insufficient supply. This prompted me to invest in more pigs to meet that demand effectively. Being known as this go-to person fills me with pride.

Can you explain your process - semen to vet to farmer? 

Peace: Our veterinarian knows more of the technical details, but I can give a brief overview. We currently collect semen from four main boars. Every week, Zipline visits our farm to collect the semen, which they then transport to their center. From there, Zipline distributes it via drones to health centres across the area. Veterinarians pick this semen up at the health centres and drive to farmers to help them inseminate the pigs. This way we can meet demand wherever needed. The objective of this is to produce high-quality meat with less fat within the next five years, as our clients prefer leaner cuts. Another aim of this initiative is to enable smallholders to acquire pigs that produce a larger number of piglets, as more piglets translate to greater income. Additionally, we want to ensure that these pigs can adequately nourish their offspring. For instance, we have breeds here that can produce over 18 piglets, whereas other pigs in the village typically only give birth to around 3. Those are not quality breeds, so it’s important for smallholders to have access to pigs that deliver a higher number of piglets.

Part 2: life

Can you tell me a bit more about yourself?

Peace: My name is Peace, I’m a mother of two young children, and I live in Bugesera district, close to my business. I also have a husband. I hold a bachelor's degree in Travel and Tourism Management, and I decided to become an entrepreneur by venturing into pig farming. My children are still young: my eldest is 10 years old, and the youngest is about to turn 8. When they visit the pig farm, they really enjoy their time here. However, I haven't yet figured out their future paths. My hope is that one of them will take over the family business, allowing us to support the whole family and potentially introduce some significant innovations.

What inspires you in life?

Peace: As a woman, my primary inspiration comes from the growth of my business. What motivates me is the ability to meet the meat demand and address the supply issues in our community, which adds real value. Every time I reflect on my journey, this is what drives me toward my goals.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Peace: In my leisure time, I enjoy meeting people. I experienced great misfortune during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, where I lost my entire family—my dad, mom, and four siblings—and was left alone. Fortunately, some family members were abroad and were able to return. When I spend time with them, whether it's going out, dancing, or gathering for family events, I truly feel joyful. Additionally, spending time with my children and husband brings me immense happiness; those moments are the highlights of my life.

Part 3: entrepreneurship and Rwanda

What do you like most about Rwanda?

Peace: The first thing I love about my country is the peace. We can't achieve anything without peace. All the projects I'm working on — creating jobs, producing meat, and helping solve some of the country’s challenges — are possible because we have peace. Without it, we would be forced to flee, just as our parents once did, and that would make it hard to love our country. Now is the time to love our country because it is peaceful, and it's a place where anyone would want to live. 

How do you look at entrepreneurship in your country? What do you think of the business climate?

Peace: First of all, starting a business in Rwanda is a matter of seconds. Anyone, even someone with a small roadside shop, can simply register with RDB, and it takes just five minutes to get your license. Additionally, regardless of the sector — like myself in agriculture — there are public institutions that foster a conducive environment for growth. We also have development partners who, when they see that you're on the right track, will help you expand your business. This makes me feel supported as an entrepreneur.

What improvements do you look forward to the most?

Peace: There are still significant gaps in this sector and we face many challenges. For example, we lack proper storage facilities for maize, despite having abundant yields. From the perspective of my business, we are also still working with limited resources at the local level. We hope to have the opportunity to acquire adequate infrastructure that will help us optimize pig farming — such as better facilities for raising piglets and comfortable housing for the pigs. This is also an innovation we aim to introduce in the sector. We also aim to work towards self-sustainability in addressing food security in the country, and eventually expand into exporting. With the quality of meat we want to produce, the well-farmed pigs, and sufficient animal feed, we believe we can compete in international markets. However, we also need quality slaughterhouses equipped with modern machinery that meets international standards for meat processing and export. That’s our vision for the development of this sector — inviting as many people as possible to invest, whether local or international businesses, because there is still a significant gap in meeting the market demand.