Izihirwe Arts, a Rwandan woodworking and arts company known for producing interior furniture and artistic pieces, has launched an innovation, the production of wooden boats, as part of efforts to promote Made-in-Rwanda products and support local tourism. The boat production officially began in June 2025.
Founded in 2018, Izihirwe Arts first gained recognition for its unique artistic drawings before gradually expanding into furniture making. Today, the company is known for high-quality, locally-crafted wardrobes, kitchen stools, cupboards, beds, and living room furniture.
According to the founder, Mr. Ndizihiwe Aimable, the idea to manufacture wooden boats was inspired by the growing interest of tourists visiting Rwanda’s lakes through the “Visit Rwanda” campaign. Realizing the potential to contribute to the tourism sector, he decided to develop locally-made boats to enhance the experience of tourists and promote Rwandan craftsmanship.
“This boat will have 12 seats and a bed inside, so the user can sleep comfortably while onboard,” said Mr. Ndizihiwe. “There are also plans to make larger boats as the demand increases.”
Izihirwe Arts has now become the first woodworking company in Rwanda to venture into wooden boat manufacturing. The initial boats are set to be used on Lake Burera, located in the Northern Province, with the official launch date to be announced soon.
In addition to the new boats, Izihirwe Arts continues to produce a variety of handcrafted furniture and interior items that reflect Rwandan creativity and craftsmanship. These include wardrobes featuring the traditional umugongo design, kitchen stools with upholstered seats and backs, as well as drawing boards and cupboards made with rattan detailing. The company also manufactures high-quality wooden beds and custom-designed living room sets, offering both functionality and artistic appeal to homes and hospitality spaces across Rwanda.
