Rwanda Opens New Milk Powder Factory

In a significant development for Rwanda's dairy industry, the newly inaugurated Inyange Milk Powder Plant in Nyagatare is set to revolutionize the sector with a $54 million investment. Designed to process 650,000 liters of milk daily, the plant aims to produce 15,000 tonnes of powdered milk annually, positioning Rwanda as a key player in the regional dairy market. This initiative is expected to enhance the livelihoods of local farmers and stimulate the national economy. Local dairy farmer Francoise Mukase, a participant in Rwanda’s Girinka program, expressed optimism about the plant's potential during its launch in July. She highlighted the timely payments and support from processors, which are crucial for farmers. The plant will primarily focus on producing skimmed milk powder, accounting for 80% of its output, along with whole milk powder, ghee, butter, and UHT products. This expansion marks a significant leap from the initial processing capacity of 10,000 liters per day when Inyange Industries was established in 1997. The new facility is expected to help Rwanda achieve its ambitious target of over 1.2 million tonnes of milk production for the 2023/2024 period, while also boosting milk exports and generating over $6.6 million monthly for farmers. Additionally, the plant aims to establish business-to-business opportunities, including supplying local companies that currently import milk powder. Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente underscored the importance of the plant at its launch, noting the government's commitment to improving infrastructure to support the dairy sector. The Inyange Milk Powder Plant represents a pivotal milestone for Rwanda, promising expanded market opportunities and improved incomes for local farmers like Mukase.