Three women knit a clothing business in Gitega

In Gitega, Imelde Niyonzima, Sylvane Nahayo and Sophie Nizigama operate a machine-knitting workshop supplying school uniforms and other clothing. After learning their trade in Rwanda, the three entrepreneurs established their own business, repaid their initial financing and began fulfilling orders for schools and individual customers.

The three founders run Saint François d’Assise Abagendana Ubumuga Turashoboye, a workshop built on their technical skills and shared experience as women living with disabilities.

Their achievement is a working local manufacturing business: designs leave the knitting machines as garments that customers buy. The founders earn income, serve schools and are building opportunities for other people to learn the craft.

Their next challenge is reliable access to yarn, machine servicing and more contracts. The August 2026 profile documented the businesses behind three individual makers.