It’s a hot afternoon here in Kibungo Sector, Ngoma District. I am picking the brain of a young businessman, namely Tuyisenge Cassien. The cool, calm, and collected youngster believes entrepreneurship is the way to go.

Earlier today, while buying some refreshments from his café, I was awestruck by the coffee shop’s splendid interior design. When I was informed that the decor was designed and crafted by Cassien himself, I decided to sit down with him and listen to his story.

Our meeting is taking place at the Joint Action Development Forum (JADF) Ngoma Open Day 2023 exhibition. There are numerous stands at the trade fair, but Cassien’s exhibits stand out from the crowd.

Cassien is the founder and sole proprietor of Inkingi Art. The high school dropout is not only a skilled artisan but also a gifted DJ. He started entertaining revelers at a local nightclub in 2016. When Covid- 19 led to the closure of the club, he found ways to keep his hands busy and his mind sane.

During the ensuing lockdowns, curfews, and movement restrictions, he made the best use of all the time he had in his hands. After countless hours of hands-on training in his makeshift workshop, a new venture was founded.

His newfound love for art gave birth to his Inkingi brand. Over the past three years, he has been sharpening his axe relentlessly. As a result, the artistic touch of his products is turning heads and attracting customers.

After a slow start in the wake of the pandemic, business is finally getting off the ground. His strong social media presence enables him to connect with his clientele and tap into the larger Kigali market.

The coffee shop mentioned above was opened recently in a bid to expand his business portfolio and diversify his revenue streams. The roadside joint is not fully operational yet, but the set-up is underway.

As I bid goodbye to Cassien, he asks me if I can squeeze in a stopover at his art gallery while visiting the neighboring district of Kirehe. Why not? I will check it out.