Under One Roof Expo, organised by Mr. Roof and held at the Landmark Building opposite Kigali Marriott Hotel on December 12-13, brought together numerous companies showcasing their products. As Rwanda’s first event of its kind, the two-day expo is dedicated to empowering builders, self-constructors, and industry professionals by offering access to a wealth of resources, knowledge, and expertise. ALSO READ: What to expect at Kigali’s first-ever Under One Roof Expo: A game-changer for construction Attendees also benefited from insightful panel discussions led by industry leaders. The first panel focused on ‘The power of quality finishes,’ the second explored the theme ‘Can building green also be affordable? and the final discussion of the day centred on Empowering key actors with financing strategies. Fatima Soleman, the CEO and founder of Mr. Roof, described the Under One Roof Expo as an event aimed at fostering collaboration in the construction industry. Soleman noted the importance of supporting individual builders, noting, The large majority of builders in Rwanda are self-builders. We wanted to empower them with the skills and resources they need to succeed in their projects. Construction can be a challenging experience, but with collaboration and access to the right tools, it can be more efficient and enjoyable. She explained that Mr. Roof initiated the event to align with their mission of making construction a more seamless and enjoyable experience for their customers. ALSO READ: Top seven real estate projects in the pipeline in Rwanda This was a trial run to explore what’s possible when we collaborate, and based on the overwhelmingly positive response, this will now become an annual event, she added. She noted collaboration as one of Mr. Roof's core values, noting that the event embodied this spirit by bringing together key partners. Among them is I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc. I&M Bank was the first to join because this aligns with their mission of providing financial products for real estate projects, she added. I&M Bank is also spotlighting its Karame campaign at the expo—a transformative initiative aimed at delivering seamless, 24/7 banking solutions to retail customers. The campaign offers quick-access loans, allowing customers to secure up to Rwf50 million without the need for collateral, providing fast and flexible financing for personal projects or urgent financial needs. It also features flexible mortgage options with repayment periods of up to 30 years, making homeownership more affordable. Customers can customise their repayment plans to match changes in their income or financial situation, ensuring their mortgage remains adaptable to their needs. Other partners of the event include Landmark, Century, PSF, the Rwanda Housing Authority, and others. Alphonse Rukaburandekwe, the Director General of the Rwanda Housing Authority, noted the potential of Rwanda's construction industry, saying, I believe together we can elevate the Rwandan construction industry and position it as a beacon of excellence across the region and on the global stage. Addressing the importance of environmentally conscious practices, Rukaburandekwe said that Rwanda is advancing policies and creating frameworks to support eco-friendly construction. He acknowledged concerns about the cost of green construction, clarifying, Some people think that green is expensive, but I believe we will see in the coming weeks that green can actually be accessible, affordable, and sustainable. Our aim is to drive innovative solutions that balance cost and sustainability. Rukaburandekwe also called for collective responsibility in mitigating climate change. He said, As we continue to develop and grow, we must recognise our responsibility towards the environment. The impact of climate change is a pressing issue that affects us all. We need to work together to transition to eco-friendly building practices.
