Since its inception in 2017, Kigali Farmers and Artisans Market (Kigalifaam) is known as a spot for bringing together small businesses in an open market, with the goal of bridging the gap between producers and consumers. 

The interactive outdoor market features food and drinks, kids play, and networking, among others.

When at the market, vendors get an opportunity for customers to see their products and support them by buying what they have.

As with all events, when the lockdown was enforced earlier this year to contain the coronavirus, the physical market was put on hold until further notice.

According to the organisers, however, this didn’t stop them from working with vendors from Rwanda and Africa, while adhering to regulations such as social distancing, using an online platform.

"We adapted and learned new ways of carrying on with our work and in the journey of promoting our mantra #buylocalsupportlocal. However, we kept thinking of how we could get back to our markets while keeping the welfare of our vendors and supporters at the forefront” said Florence Mwashimba, the founder of Kigalifaam.

Keeping into consideration the government regulations regarding curbing the spread of COVID-19 virus, Kigalifaam in partnership with Kigali Serena Hotel has come up with a new Christmas edition known as ‘Click and collect weekend Market’.

"Click and collect market” means that for the  customer to visit the market, they have to go to the online shop, find a product of any value, and when the order is received, customers are given a time flow when they can come to the market.

The edition is expected to kick off on December 5-6, at the Kigali Serena Hotel’s auditorium.

Attendance time is from 10 am to 6 pm with each customer being allocated a date and time to visit the market.

Each time slot allows for 30 consumers plus 30 vendors already in the market. The balance of 15 is for the team from Kigalifaam and Serena.

According to Mwashimba, the concept will give the community an opportunity to meet and support local businesses but, within an allocated time frame and in a controlled environment. 

For years, Kigalifaam, before the COVID-19 pandemic, was carrying out an open market once every month.

Meanwhile, the Kigalifaam online shop operations with home delivery will still continue as usual.

Mwashimba added that they anticipate supporting small SMEs and home industries since they are among those hit hard by the pandemic.

"We want to get back to business but we also want to ensure the safety of our consumers and by doing this; we will be giving others in business the confidence to come back to business as usual,” she said.