Rwanda marks 20th Kwita Izina with bold pledge to expand gorilla habitat

By Elias Hakizimana.

Rwanda has on September 5, 2025 marked the 20th anniversary of Kwita Izina, its internationally recognized gorilla naming ceremony, with renewed political commitment to expand Volcanoes National Park and link conservation with community development.

The event, held at the foothills of the Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, brought together government leaders, international conservation partners, and thousands of citizens. Forty baby gorillas were named, bringing the total since the tradition began in 2005 to 438.

In a keynote speech, Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva emphasized the need to expand the gorilla habitat by nearly 25 percent, framing it as both a conservation necessity and a development opportunity.

“As the gorilla families grow, we must expand their habitat. This bold plan will ensure the next generation of gorillas has a secure home while also improving the lives of surrounding communities,” Nsengiyumva said. “We call on the world to join us in this ambitious project as we share this responsibility.”

The Prime Minister situated the announcement within Rwanda’s broader development agenda, pointing to ecotourism as a cornerstone of the country’s economic transformation. Gorilla tourism alone contributed more than $200 million in 2024, out of $647 million generated by the wider tourism sector.

Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), highlighted Rwanda’s conservation achievements over the past two decades, including the successful reintroduction of lions and rhinos and the completion in 2025 of the world’s largest translocation of 70 white rhinos.

“Today, Rwanda proudly hosts the Big Five. Thanks to a strong legal and policy framework, forest cover now stands at 30 percent, with nearly nine percent of land under protected areas,” Afrika said. “Through the Tourism Revenue Share Program, 10 percent of park revenues are systematically invested in local development. More than 1,200 projects have been supported, including schools, health centers, markets and agricultural hubs.”

Local leadership also welcomed the government’s announcement. Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde said citizens in both the Northern and Western Provinces were supportive of the park expansion project.

“We believe this project will accelerate tourism development in our provinces. The Kwita Izina ceremony also reminds us of our responsibility to mobilize citizens to contribute to biodiversity conservation, especially by safeguarding Volcanoes National Park,” he said.

The ceremony carried a strong political message beyond conservation. Officials repeatedly linked Rwanda’s success in restoring mountain gorilla populations—from the brink of extinction to over 1,000 worldwide, including more than 600 in the Virunga Massif—to national resilience and policy leadership.

The First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, served as guest of honor, underlining the symbolic role of the Presidency in initiating Kwita Izina in 2005 when she and President Paul Kagame named gorillas for the first time.

Kwita Izina, once a ranger-led practice, has become a global platform for conservation diplomacy. The presence of international celebrities, NGOs, and private sector partners demonstrated Rwanda’s use of soft power to position conservation at the center of its development strategy.

But challenges remain. As Rwanda expands Volcanoes National Park, questions about land use, resettlement, and balancing conservation with community rights are expected to dominate future debates. Officials maintain that the expansion will create opportunities for infrastructure, employment, and ecotourism while strengthening biodiversity protection.

As Prime Minister Nsengiyumva concluded, Rwanda sees the next 20 years of Kwita Izina not just as a celebration of gorilla survival, but as a test of whether conservation and development can continue to advance hand in hand.

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