A Local’s Guide to Rwanda

Consider Gaju Gatera a cheerleader for the educational advancement of Rwandan girls. Born and raised in Kigali, she studied in the United States before landing a job in tech at Microsoft. Hoping to inspire more Rwandan girls to pursue careers in STEM, she helps international students find placement in and transition to school in the U.S. She currently lives in Kigali.

This interview is part of The World Made Local, a global collaboration between the seven international editions of Condé Nast Traveler in which 100 people in 100 countries tell us why their home turf should be your next destination.

Describe your hometown.

Kigali evokes a strong sense of comfort and belonging. I always enjoy my time here—especially after having to be away for almost 10 years. I feel a sense of pride when I can speak the native language, Kinyarwanda, with people on the street, the local vendor, and my hairdresser.

Tell us about your connection to Rwanda.

I consider it my duty to be the greatest advocate for Rwanda, especially because there can be a lot of misinformation or outdated beliefs about the safety of this country. I like to leverage my social media to showcase anyone who will listen that this place is quite awesome in every sense of the word. Thankfully, I have noticed that I am not the only one with a similar mission, which helps bring awareness that the narrative around Rwanda 30 years ago is very different from what it is now.

If a friend was visiting Kigali and had just 24 hours there, what would you tell them to do?

Eat the pondu ya capitaine at Repub Lounge; they do a lot of East African cuisine, so there's a wide selection to choose from. A favorite spot of mine is Soy Asian Table for their steamed chicken dumplings with crispy fried noodles. If you're into cocktails, I would suggest trying the French 75. And for Rwandan coffee, do Kivu Noir. I always get the Spanish latte. For something off the beaten path, check out Choose Kigali art gallery, and if you want to explore beyond the city, get a bike from Kigali Rides to see the outskirts of town.

What excites you about Rwanda right now?

I really enjoy seeing how artistic people are becoming. Growing up, it was a standard belief that only corporate careers were acceptable and that you should study engineering or become a doctor or lawyer. But I am seeing a lot of young people choosing music, photography, and fashion. To me it shows that people are feeling more empowered to be different, and instead of waiting for someone to give them a chance, they are creating those opportunities for themselves. I am a strong believer that the aggregated impact of enabling people to accomplish what they want based on their strengths and passions will eventually propel the country forward for the better.

Give us the elevator pitch: Why are we coming to Rwanda?

If you are looking for a luscious green tropical holiday without the price markup, Rwanda is the place to visit. We have everything from wild live safari, great food, great company, and so much history for such a young country.