Trailblazing Female-Owned Food & Drink Businesses in Rwanda you need on your radar…
As you know, we love nothing more here at Seen in the City than a strong woman who isn’t afraid to shake up the scene. Rwanda’s culinary landscape is undergoing a real transformation, driven by the creativity, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit of women, and we’re 100% here for it. Across the country, female food and drink entrepreneurs are redefining what it means to cook and bake, while simultaneously driving social impact, creating employment opportunities, and championing inclusivity in the culinary industry.
From bustling cafés in Kigali to bakeries and restaurants that emphasize nutrition and sustainability, these women are proving that food stands for so much more than ingredients on a plate. It means empowerment, culture, community and opportunity. Here are some of the trailblazing female-owned food and drink businesses in Rwanda you need on your radar.
Question Coffee & Café
This is a pioneering coffee venture that celebrates women coffee farmers and baristas, connecting specialty coffee experiences with women-led farm treks, masterclasses, and tastings in Kigali and near Volcanoes National Park.
Question Coffee & Café (Kigali & Kinigi)
The Women’s Bakery
This social enterprise empowers women through professional baking, nutrition, and business skills training, offering nutritious bread, cakes and snacks while creating stable employment for women and supporting family wellbeing.
The Women’s Bakery (multiple locations)
Kaze’s Kitchen
Founded by Kaze Ange Aimee, this bakery focuses on nutritious baked goods, including gluten- and lactose-free options, promoting healthier eating habits and inclusive food access in the city.
Kaze’s Kitchen (Kigali)
Bufcoffee
Founded by Epiphanie Mukashyaka, Rwanda’s first specialty coffee producer, led by a woman, scaling high-quality coffee and championing female participation in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
Inka Steakhouse
Created by Nicole Ansoni, this celebrated restaurant champions local agriculture and livestock through a steakhouse concept that celebrates Rwandan beef and farm-to-table sourcing, while supporting community livelihoods.
Inka Steakhouse (Kigali)
Additional stories are emerging of female chefs and rising female culinary leaders, like Chef Mariam Umugwaneza’s ascent in Kigali’s kitchens (Lilly Fine Dining) that underline this broader movement. Her ascent through Kigali’s fine dining scene reflects a new generation of female culinary leaders. Known for her precision, creativity, and commitment to excellence, her growing profile not only signals changing attitudes within high-end kitchens but also serves as inspiration for young women pursuing careers as chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary innovators.
