Rwanda news and archive

LGBTQ Rwandan designer held on forged passport claims

A transgender Rwandan fashion designer, who counted President Paul Kagame among their customers, has been detained on forgery accusations after claiming their passport has been changed to reflect their gender, police said Friday. Moses Turahirwa, 35, was taken into custody on Thursday after sharing a photograph on Instagram of their passport,...

Fashion Featured

'From Rwanda to Hollywood': Kigali style goes global

Kigali - Matthew Rugamba knew his Rwandan fashion label had arrived when Junior Nyong’o, the brother of Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, attended the world premiere of “Black Panther” in a three-piece suit designed by him. Hours after the glitzy event in Los Angeles, the website for Rugamba’s brand House of Tayo exploded as enquiries flooded in from...

Fashion Featured

Rwanda doesn't want hand-me-down clothes from the West

Rwanda, once a global importer of second-hand clothing, is hoping its wool and textile exports will open opportunities for its citizens, especially women. The country's "Made in Rwanda" campaign is helping efforts to manufacture at home by increasing exports of small and medium businesses in different industries, said CNN in a report. Since...

Business

US suspends duty-free benefits for apparel from Rwanda

The United States has suspended Rwanda’s trade benefits for apparel products, following Rwanda’s increased tariffs on second hand clothing and footwear imports, according to a statement from the US Trade Representative Office. Apparel imports from Rwanda enjoyed duty-free status in the United States, under the African Growth and Opportunity Act...