Zamukana Ubuziranenge Program Elevating Quality Standards Compliance: Assessing Progress

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

In Cyanika sector, Burera District, residents are celebrating the success of a local project that has curbed cross-border smuggling and eliminated the need to travel to Uganda for cleaning supplies.

Accessing high-quality oil, soap, and other cleaning products was a challenge, with many residents resorting to purchasing these items across the border in Buganda. However, concerns about safety and the legality of such trips were prevalent among the community.

In 2019, driven by the initiative of youths like Elie Nsengukuri, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of a local small detergent factory in Burera district, this factory embarked on a mission to dissuade residents from crossing the border by making quality products available locally.

Government Support: Safeguarding Standards and Promoting Growth

Nsengukuri underscores the broader impact of these local enterprises, highlighting their role in job creation and economic empowerment. He urges community members to support locally-made products, signaling a shift towards self-sufficiency and quality assurance.

Etienne Barigenera, a Cyanika resident, attests to the transformation brought about by these local initiatives, noting that the community no longer feels the need to seek sanitary supplies across the border. He emphasizes the newfound accessibility of quality products at affordable prices.

“In the past, we made several requests for detergents meeting quality standards at this center, but to no avail. It’s a pleasure to now have locally-made detergents available nearby at affordable prices,” Brigenera said.

Mukantagwabira Beatrice echoes similar sentiments, expressing gratitude for the guidance provided by local companies and applauding their commitment to meeting international standards. She lauds the efforts of the youth-led initiatives, citing the superior quality of their oils and soaps.

Jean Pierre Abejeneza, National Certification Division Manager at Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), emphasized the importance of safety and quality standards in locally-made products.

He stated that the ‘Zamukana ubuziranenge’ program, initiated by the Government of Rwanda, aimed to ensure compliance with safety standards, particularly through promoting a quality culture in small and medium enterprises.

“The Program came as a response to supporting Rwanda’s development goals and is essential for ensuring the quality and safety of our locally-made products, especially in the context of Rwanda’s rapid development and its efforts to promote the import substitution.” he added.

Since 2017, with the establishment of the ‘Zamukana ubuziranenge’ Program by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, at least 840 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been helped to comply with quality standards, resulting in the remarkable increase of certified locally manufactured products; thus an increase from about 300 products in 2017 to over 900 products by early 2024. The program focuses on MSMes established by women, youth and people with disabilities, but as RSB reckons, it also considers other applicants.

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