When you think about your dream wedding, your ideal home, the outfit you want for a special event, or even beauty tips, you might wonder where to find inspiration without leaving your house. Many Rwandans have found the answer through Pinterest, a platform that delivers ideas visually and creatively.
Pinterest, launched in 2010 by Ben Silbermann, Evan Sharp, and Paul Sciarra, helps people worldwide save, search, and organize ideas through images. Instead of long texts, it relies on pictures that speak for themselves. Beyond showing what people dream about, Pinterest has especially captured the hearts of women and young girls, who make up more than 70% of its users globally.
Ben Silbermann explained the inspiration behind the platform: “Collecting things helps you learn a lot, and at that time, when we looked at other social media platforms, there was no place to share that kind of collection.”
How Pinterest works and its unique features
Pinterest is different from typical social networks. Users save images they love into categorized boards, which can be personal or shared publicly. Its visual nature makes it widely used by wedding planners, home decorators, artists, beauty experts, and small business owners who showcase their work through images. Popular topics include fashion, beauty, cooking, interior design, and event planning — areas that many women are passionate about.
Marie Jean, a student at Mount Kigali University, shared how Pinterest has become a personal learning tool:
“I call Pinterest my affordable school. I use it to find ideas for clothes, beauty, and nail colors. After class, I work in a salon, and Pinterest helps me pick beautiful colors that my clients love.”
Nsabimana Eric, a professional photographer, said the platform helps him professionally:
“I use Pinterest every day for my work. It helps me choose perfect shooting locations and get inspiration for poses and backdrops. My clients notice the difference, and it makes my work more creative and professional.”
Rwandans using Pinterest to build businesses
Beyond personal use, Pinterest is helping Rwandans grow small businesses and develop creative projects. For example, small clothing and handmade jewelry businesses in Kigali are using the platform to showcase designs, attract clients, and learn trends in fashion and lifestyle.
Alphonse Uwizeyimana, a young entrepreneur in Gisozi, said:
“Pinterest has helped me see what is trending globally. I design bead necklaces inspired by ideas I find there, and it has boosted my sales because my products now match what people want.”
Wedding planners and event organizers are also benefiting. Diane Uwase, who runs a small wedding planning business, said:
“I get most of my ideas for décor, themes, and floral arrangements from Pinterest. It saves me time and money because I can see what works before spending on supplies. Clients are happy with the creative touches.”
Unlike chat-focused social networks, Pinterest reflects dreams, ideas, and aspirations. It encourages users to think, plan, and bring ideas to life. From learning new skills to discovering global trends, Rwandans are increasingly using Pinterest for education, work, and personal growth.
