How an MKU student is turning Kigali’s housing challenge into an opportunity for students and international newcomers 

For many students arriving in Kigali, finding a suitable place to live can be a difficult part of settling into the city. At Mount Kigali University Atalabi Oluwadamiloju a BBICT student is working with two colleagues to make the process easier through Find Your Roomie, a website designed to help students, particularly international students, find houses and potential roommates in Kigali. 

The idea began last year and Atalabi started developing a platform that could simplify the search for accommodation. He developed the website this year and now manages it together with his two colleagues. 

The platform was created around a problem he believes many students face, finding accommodation in Kigali can be time consuming and difficult  especially for people who are new to the city. 

For international students, the challenge can be greater as they adjust to a new country while also trying to find a suitable place to live. 

Find Your Roomie aims to provide a simpler way for people looking for accommodation to find houses or connect with potential roommates. 

Although developing Find Your Roomie has been an exciting journey,Atalabi says the main challenge he currently faces is creating awareness about the website. Since the platform is still growing, getting more students and potential users to know about it remains an important part of building the business. 

While building the platform Atalabi is also continuing with his university studies, meaning he has to divide his time between academics, the business and his personal life. 

What started as an idea last year has now become a growing student-led project, showing how a common challenge can inspire an entrepreneur to create a solution while still pursuing a university degree. 

By Tumalo Noel