Bakhresa Group, a regional grain milling company has invested $24 million (Rwf13.7 billion) in Rwanda as part of its expansion drive.

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the 12 months construction of the factory at Kigali industrial park, the company’s managing director, Abubakar Said Salim Bakhresa, said Rwanda would benefit from savings on its forex earnings by promoting local cultivation of wheat.

"This project will not only be able to make Rwanda self-sufficient in wheat flour but also be able to export flour to countries like DRC,” said Bakhresa.

Monique Nsanzabaganwa, the Minister of Commerce and Industry while commissioning construction of the factory said that government values this investment, especially because it falls under the agriculture sector.

"This investment is very significant since it’s going to contribute to our export portfolio,” Nsanzabaganwa added.
Bakhresa group ventures into food processing, beverage and the transport sector.

The new milling plant in Rwanda will have the capacity to produce 250 metric tonnes per day with a provision to upgrade to 500 metric tones.

The company has operations in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. With new plants in Rwanda and Burundi, they have plans to expand to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In terms of storage capacity, the company is putting up four silos of 3000 metric tones each allowing Rwanda to store up to 12,000 metric tones of grain in the first phase.
"This will allow us to be in position to receive local and imported wheat and have ample storage to allow the flour mill to run without the danger of running out of raw material,” said Bakhresa.

Operating under the brand name "Azam”, bakhresa provides direct employment to more than 2000 employees.

The company says it will use the latest technology from the Switzerland manufacturer, allowing the processed flour to meet European market standards.

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