A Made-in-Rwanda expo is currently ongoing in Kigali at the Expo Grounds in Gikondo. It is a national re-branding campaign that is instrumental in changing the taste of those who are loyalist for imported goods.

Of course, this is commendable and this will undoubtedly boost local manufacturers.

The display of different items, from consumables to non consumables, at the expo demonstrates from the outset that the country is capable of producing more and more….

Even though foreign goods cannot be totally banished from the country as Rwanda is an import dependent country like any other in Africa, our markets need not be flooded with items we can produce ourselves. We barely produce what we use in the country from the mobile phones, cars, clothes, some food items and so many more.

In fact, it is not news that many of us have no much appetite for locally made products, mostly as a result of what market observers blame on issues of quality and the passion for foreign goods.

However, people should not patronise locally made goods probably because they are unable to afford imported goods because of its pricey state, it must be our role to play in loving our locally made goods and be proud of them.

In an effort to promote locally manufactured goods, retail outlets, supermarkets and stores need to stock their shops with made-in-Rwanda products. Everyone should also be encouraged to prioritise Made-in-Rwanda products by discouraging the use of imported goods which are or can be produced locally.

This is by making the goods produced in the country of quality, reliable, durable and affordable for the common man.

Rwandans can also be encouraged to patronize goods produced locally if the products are well branded, imitation should be disallowed and uniqueness allowed, samples should be given out just to make research on the product and seek opinions from people that is in terms of fast moving consumer goods and enticing and captivating advertisement via various media channels explaining the reliability and benefits of the products.

Locally produced products can attract more buyers if certain levels of orientation and awareness are done for us to know that quality goods are also produced in the country and also the manufacturers or producers of these locally made goods should ensure that their products meet international standards.

With regard to policy matters, the government should adjust the existing policies to encourage Small and Medium Enterprises in the country so as to avoid importation of certain foreign products which can be produced locally.

There should be more incentives for the development of homemade products; imports must be checked as huge import bills are killing local industries.

More efforts should be made in equipping and providing support and loans to these manufacturers if need be so that they can produce quality products which in turn people will buy thereby promoting locally made goods. Uniqueness of the brand should also come to play.

Prioritising Made-in-Rwanda products would be the only way to boost the economy and ensure the country develops further. Rwanda, as a nation, has a bright future, if we can deploy science and technology in processing our natural products into finished products.

Those products would be exported and the country will earn more foreign exchange.

We have a role in contributing in whatever way, to the GDP of this great nation. We just need to work with various industries to enhance their productivity, help them improve on the quality of their products and ensure that importation of substandard products is significantly reduced.

With the Made-in- Rwanda campaign, I have no doubt that we are on the right track!

oscar.kimanuka@yahoo.co.uk