Rwanda’s first toothpaste factory, RK Industries Ltd, was formally inaugurated in the Kigali Special Economic Zone on Friday, 22 November.

The Indian-Tanzanian company, which cost $5 million to complete, aims to foster domestic manufacturing and diminish reliance on imported dental hygiene products.

Pro Smile, which is RK Industries Ltd’s first brand, has five flavours and is manufactured in 13 sizes, all of which are crafted to meet global quality standards.

RK Industries Managing Director Kunal Chudasama pointed out that the factory is committed to producing only high-quality products and creating jobs in Rwanda.

“We are trying our best to help the country to decrease more imports so that we can locally manufacture more products with the same quality and a better price,” Chudasama told B&B Kigali.

The factory currently has 40 employees. Chudasama said he was left surprised by the dedication and hard work of Rwandan people.

I&M Bank Rwanda has been one of RK Industries' major partners along the way.

“They (I&M Bank Rwanda) have supported us a lot in every way because to do such a big investment, you need bank finance, they have always been on our side,” said Chudasama.

While speaking at the inauguration ceremony, I&M Bank Rwanda Managing Director Benjamin Mutimura assured RK Industries to support their growth.

“We want to pledge today to keep supporting your marketing efforts, distribution networks, and expansion plans. But not only RK, if there is any other businessman in the room, please come to us with your idea or your limited resources, and we will add on it to make your dreams come true,” Mutimura said.

“We keep supporting government initiatives, Made in Rwanda, industrialization, or whatever comes to support this economy, I&M Bank Rwanda is here to make sure those dreams become a reality,” he added.

Pro Smile

Photo: Pro Smile is expected to cover 11 per cent of Rwanda's $4.6 million expenses on toothpaste imported.

Chudasama revealed that RK Industries has plans to introduce new products in January 2025. “From January 2025, once the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) approves our application, we will be making charcoal toothpaste for Rwanda, and it will be the same quality as the international standards.”

He further said: “Our machines can make a lot of different sorts of products. Our next brand will be hand sanitisers because the government has to import from outside, which is not a good sign, so we would like to produce full of them so they don’t have to import."

“It’s very safe to work in Rwanda. Since starting the factory, it has been a year, but we haven’t faced any major problems from the government, people, or the economy."

Emmanuel Habimana, a Director General at Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade, noted that the presence of the factory will boost the production of toothpaste in Rwanda.

According to Habimana, Rwanda spends around $4.6 million to import toothpaste, but the RK Industry will initially cover 11 per cent of that demand, with the goal of ultimately reaching 100 per cent.

“It is indeed a matter of great pride for an Indian company to be able to launch Rwanda’s first toothpaste," Mridu Pawan Das, the High Commissioner of India to Rwanda, told B&B Kigali.

RK Industry

Photo: The completion of RK Industries Ltd, an Indian-Tanzanian factory located in the Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro, Ndera Sector, cost $5 million.