Empowering Communities, Inspiring Youth, and Managing Kirehe’s Beating Heart of Craft and Innovation
In the quiet yet fast-growing district of Kirehe, a new wave of entrepreneurship is transforming lives and communities. At the center of this change stands Baheza HV Services Ltd, a company whose journey embodies Rwandan resilience, vision, and determination.
Founded by Vincent Habiyaremye, Baheza HV Services has grown from a small carpentry workshop into one of Eastern Rwanda’s most trusted names in carpentry, construction materials, infrastructure development, and youth empowerment.
Vincent Habiyaremye, founder of Baheza HV Services
What began as a simple idea born of necessity has blossomed into a story of possibility, proof that great things often start small.
The Birth of a Vision
In 2012, parts of Kirehe had just been connected to electricity, sparking new opportunities for innovation. Habiyaremye, a farmer turned carpenter crafting doors and furniture for local clients, saw a future others overlooked.
“I used to travel to Kigali to buy doors and other materials,” he recalls. “Then I thought—why not produce and sell them right here at home?”
With little capital but unwavering determination, he began producing carpentry items locally. His craftsmanship quickly gained a reputation for quality and reliability, and soon Baheza HV Services Ltd was born—founded on the belief that local communities could build for themselves.
“I believed we could build right where we live,” he says with a smile. “If Kigali could do it, so could Kirehe.”
From Workshop to Workforce Empowerment
As the business grew, Habiyaremye’s vision expanded beyond profit. He understood that real progress comes from empowering people—especially the youth, who make up the backbone of Kirehe’s labor force.
In 2016, Baheza HV Services began offering practical skills training for the youth in carpentry, welding, tailoring, and entrepreneurship. Alongside technical skills, Habiyaremye emphasized financial literacy, saving, and business planning.
“I wanted others to grow with me,” he explains. “When you help others succeed, your own success becomes even more meaningful.”
This initiative gave rise to a cooperative formed by young artisans trained under Baheza HV Services. Today, the cooperative operates successfully across Kirehe, producing furniture and metal works while mentoring other youth.
Through this model, Baheza HV Services became more than a company—it evolved into a hands-on school of life, where work, discipline, and hope intersect.
The company also partners with TVET schools to provide internships that give students real-world experience. Many graduates have since launched their own workshops, creating a ripple effect of innovation and employment across the district.
Agakiriro: The Beating Heart of Kirehe
Kirehe District now hosts a thriving hub of enterprise at ‘Agakiriro ka Kirehe’—an Integrated Crafts Production Center that brings together carpenters, welders, tailors, masons, and traders among others under one roof.
Here, the sound of hammers and saws blends with the laughter of artisans and the rhythm of commerce. It is a living symbol of Rwanda’s creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Recognizing Habiyaremye’s leadership and professionalism, Kirehe District entrusted Baheza HV Services Ltd with managing Agakiriro—a milestone that affirmed the company’s reputation for integrity and efficiency.
Under Baheza’s management, the center envisions to become a well-organized hub of productivity and innovation. Habiyaremye wants to ensure an affordable, high-quality materials for artisans while fostering mentorship and skills transfer.
“Agakiriro represents the spirit of Kirehe—hard work, innovation, and community,” Habiyaremye says. “Our goal is to make it a model center where skills meet opportunity and where young people can earn a living with dignity.”
Beyond workshops, the district is constructing another facility within the Agakiriro complex to accommodate showrooms, restaurants, and other small businesses. The initiative aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that generates income and drives local development.
Baheza HV Services supplies essential materials—iron bars, cement, wood, paint, nails, and glass—directly to artisans, ensuring both quality and affordability. For clients from neighboring districts, the company even offers free transport, extending accessibility and goodwill.
Today, Agakiriro ka Kirehe stands as the heartbeat of this region’s economic growth—a place where dreams are crafted, and livelihoods are built – one product at a time.
Growing Beyond Borders
Through consistency and professionalism, Baheza HV Services Ltd has become synonymous with trust and reliability. By 2019, it had evolved into a regional supplier of construction materials, sourcing directly from Kigali and local industries to maintain steady supply and fair pricing.
Leveraging Kirehe’s strategic location as it borders the neighboring Tanzania, the CEO of Baheza HV Services introduced a smart distribution model that allowed imported goods to be offloaded directly in Kirehe instead of Kigali—reducing transport costs and positioning his company as a key supplier across Eastern Province.
The company is now preparing to actively participate in a landmark multi-billion project to develop a modern market in Nyakarambi—a bold step that highlights both capacity and confidence.
“Winning the tender for Agakiriro ka Kirehe was a proud moment,” Habiyaremye reflects. “It proved that local companies can deliver innovative projects with professionalism and transparency.”
Today, Baheza HV Services employs over 37 people—including 25 contractual and 12 non-contractual staff—and plans to expand its vehicle fleet to enhance service delivery across Rwanda.
Building Communities, Not Just Structures
At its core, Baheza HV Services Ltd stands for shared prosperity. Beyond business, the company invests in community welfare—supporting vulnerable families by paying community based health insurance and helping build homes for the needy.
“When you give back, the community grows stronger—and so does your business,” Habiyaremye underscores.
Having grown up in a humble farming family, he leads with compassion and discipline. He constantly reminds his team that saving is the foundation of progress.
“If you save, you can invest,” he says. “And if you invest, you can change lives.”
At Agakiriro, that philosophy thrives. Young artisans are encouraged to save part of their income, join cooperatives, and reinvest in their craft—turning short-term jobs into sustainable livelihoods.
The Road Ahead
As Baheza HV Services Ltd looks to the future, its mission remains clear: to build prosperity—one project, one person, and one community at a time. Plans are underway to expand services, create more youth employment, and strengthen the company’s position as a regional leader in construction and skills development.
From a small carpentry workshop to the manager of Kirehe’s most dynamic craft center, Baheza HV Services Ltd stands as a testament to what hard work, integrity, and innovation can achieve.
Vincent’s dream extends beyond business—it is about building a legacy of opportunity and hope.
“Great change starts with one step, one idea, and one person who refuses to give up,” he says. “At Baheza HV Services, we’re building prosperity brick by brick, dream by dream.”
