Rwanda to name 22 baby gorillas as tourism revenue rises to $685 million

By Elias Hakizimana.

Rwanda is set to name 22 baby gorillas during the 21st Kwita Izina ceremony on September 4, 2026, as the country continues to expand its tourism sector and attract more international visitors.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced that the ceremony will take place in Kinigi, near Volcanoes National Park in Musanze District.

The 22 baby gorillas will join 438 gorillas that have been named since Rwanda launched the annual Kwita Izina ceremony in 2005.

Rwanda’s tourism industry generated more than $685 million in revenue in 2025, up from $647 million recorded in 2024. The country welcomed approximately 1.49 million visitors during the year.

National parks accounted for a significant share of tourism activity, recording 155,394 visitors in 2025.

The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector also contributed to the country’s tourism earnings. Rwanda hosted 165 international conferences in 2025, attracting more than 61,000 delegates and generating $94.7 million in revenue.

Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde said Kwita Izina has become an important economic driver for communities and businesses, particularly in Musanze and surrounding areas.

“Take Musanze town alone, for example. It now has more than 52 star-rated hotels. These hotels have emerged largely because tourism is performing well. When visitors come, they have places to stay and do not face major challenges finding accommodation,” he said.

More than 10,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Kwita Izina ceremony, creating business opportunities for transport providers, hotels, restaurants and other service providers.

Mugabowagahunde said the province is also working to encourage visitors to stay longer and explore attractions beyond gorilla trekking.

“Everyone benefits from the impact of Kwita Izina. After the ceremony, we usually see an increase in the number of people visiting the Northern Province. Some come specifically to see the gorillas, but we are doing everything possible to ensure that visitors do more than just see gorillas. We want them to stay for several days and explore other attractions,” he said.

Tourism partnerships

Mutangana Eugène, Director of the Biodiversity Conservation Department at RDB, said Rwanda’s international tourism partnerships have also contributed to the growth of the sector.

He cited the country’s partnership with English Premier League club Arsenal FC as one of the initiatives that has helped raise Rwanda’s profile as a tourism destination.

“These are figures we should be proud of. It would not be accurate to say that this growth was solely the result of our partnerships, because we are implementing many other initiatives. However, partnerships such as the one with Arsenal have played a role in promoting tourism, increasing tourism revenues and generating other benefits linked to the sector,” Mutangana said.

On July 14, 2026, Visit Rwanda announced a partnership with Aston Villa, making the English club a new platform for promoting Rwanda’s tourism brand.

Under the agreement, Visit Rwanda became Aston Villa’s Principal Partner, Official Tourism Partner and Official Coffee Provider. Its branding will appear on the front of shirts worn by the club’s men’s, women’s and youth teams, as well as in other prominent locations.

Mutangana said Rwanda expects the Aston Villa partnership to generate additional opportunities for the tourism sector.

“Entering into a partnership with Aston Villa does not mean that we have moved backwards. We need to continue expanding our relationships and partnerships, and we believe the agreement we have signed with Aston Villa will bring us many opportunities. We are also ready to enter into partnerships with other clubs and organisations where possible,” he said.

Visit Rwanda also maintains partnerships with Paris Saint-Germain of France and Atlético de Madrid of Spain.

The Kwita Izina-related discussions brought together officials from various institutions involved in Rwanda’s tourism sector.