Nigerians in Rwanda launch partnership with Ndera sector, provide health insurance support and pledge transformative development projects

Nigerians living in Rwanda, under the umbrella of the Igbo Community in Rwanda through the Oganihu Cooperative Society, have launched a partnership with Ndera Sector in Gasabo District aimed at improving the livelihoods of local residents by supporting access to healthcare, promoting vocational training, and encouraging entrepreneurship. They say the initiative is a way of giving back to Rwanda for the hospitality and opportunities the country has provided as their host nation.

The initiative was launched on Sunday, August 2, 2026, in Burunga Village, Kibenga Cell, Ndera Sector, bringing together local residents, members of Oganihu Cooperative Society, and local government officials.

As the first phase of this partnership, Oganihu Cooperative Society provided Rwandan Francs 300,000 to support community-based health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) coverage for 60 people from 13 households.

The organizers explained that they chose to begin with healthcare support because a healthy population is the foundation of sustainable development. They added that the initiative will later expand into economic empowerment programmes, including vocational skills training and support for income-generating activities.

Beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the support, saying that starting with health insurance coverage has given them greater confidence to pursue development opportunities without being held back by healthcare challenges.

Safari Martin, one of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude, saying:“We sincerely appreciate Oganihu Cooperative Society for the support they have given us by paying for our Mutuelle de Santé. This initiative gives us hope because good health is the foundation of every other activity. The fact that they thought about us shows that there are people who care about our wellbeing, and we are committed to using these opportunities responsibly to improve our lives.”

Another beneficiary, Josiane Bamusabese, echoed these sentiments, saying:“We are very grateful for this support because Mutuelle de Santé will enable us to access medical services whenever we need them. We appreciate these partners for believing in us, and we are determined to make good use of future opportunities that will help us acquire vocational skills and create employment opportunities for ourselves.”

Representing the leadership of Kibenga Cell, Marie Claire Uwumukiza said that initiatives of this nature play a significant role in improving citizens’ welfare and enabling them to focus on productive activities.

She said:“Initiatives like this are a significant contribution to community development. When citizens have access to health insurance, they can work with greater confidence, while partnerships such as this help local authorities implement development programmes and achieve their targets.”

She further noted that bringing development partners closer to communities strengthens collaboration between citizens, government institutions, and stakeholders in improving living conditions.

She added:“When we have partners who engage directly with communities in this way, it helps us accelerate development programmes and support citizens in achieving better living standards more quickly.”

She urged residents to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the partnership by actively participating in training programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.

The President of Oganihu Cooperative Society, Kelechi Mugisha Anyanwu, said that the Igbo Community has a tradition of contributing to the wellbeing and development of communities wherever its members live. He explained that supporting Ndera residents is part of their commitment to giving back to Rwanda.

He said:“Rwanda has welcomed us very well. It has provided us with peace, security, and opportunities to work and live a better life. We have embraced Rwanda as our second home, and therefore we believe we have a responsibility to give back to its people. What we did today by supporting residents with Mutuelle de Santé is only the beginning.”

He explained that Oganihu Cooperative Society plans to support residents through economic empowerment initiatives, including vocational training, capacity building, and assistance in establishing sustainable income-generating activities.

He said:“We have seen that this community has large areas of land and young people with energy and potential, but some have not yet had enough opportunities. We want to train them, equip them with vocational skills, and help them find a clear direction for their future. We are also planning to promote modern, mechanised agriculture so that communities can increase productivity and achieve sustainable development.”

Anyanwu added that their activities align with Rwanda’s development vision and that foreigners living in the country have a responsibility to contribute positively to the nation that has welcomed them.

He said:“From today, Ndera Sector has become our first partner community. Many of the projects we will implement in Rwanda will begin here before expanding to other sectors. We believe this partnership will play a significant role in improving the livelihoods of the people.”

The initiative by Oganihu Cooperative Society marks the beginning of a new chapter of collaboration between Nigerians living in Rwanda and residents of Ndera Sector. Beyond supporting healthcare access, the partnership is expected to introduce vocational training programmes, youth empowerment initiatives, modern agricultural projects, and support for income-generating activities, all aimed at promoting long-term community development and sustainable livelihoods.