Italian Smart Living, promoted by the Italian Trade Agency and the National Confederation of Craft and Smes (CNA), is a leading interior design event that has introduced the enduring elegance of Italian craftsmanship to Rwanda. It officially launched its presence in Kigali with an exhibition featuring premium interior design materials. This initiative reflects the Agency's and CNA's long-term strategy to serve the East African region and beyond, providing both accessibility and affordability while maintaining Italian excellence. The launch was celebrated during a three-day event held from September 27–30, drawing industry professionals, international partners, students, and design enthusiasts from East Africa, China, and Europe. The program emphasized sustainability, innovation, and the artistry of Made in Italy interior design, along with an exclusive tour of Casa Italia’s Kigali showroom, where attendees explored current trends in home decor and value engineering. The Kigali showcase was organized in collaboration with the Italian Trade Commission and CNA Italy, which represents over 600,000 Italian companies. Antonio Franceschini, head of CNA’s International Trade Promotion Office, highlighted the importance of the event: “This was not only about showcasing Italian furniture excellence but also about creating B2B opportunities. It marks the first step towards stronger cooperation between Rwandan and Italian entrepreneurs.” Claudio Pasqualucci, Director of the Addis Ababa Italian Trade Agency, echoed this sentiment, pointing out Rwanda’s stability and rapid real estate growth as key attractions. “Rwanda is small but dynamic. The growth of its real estate sector is impressive, and we see opportunities to bring technologies and expertise to work alongside local companies,” he said. “We are not here to compete with local industries but to create partnerships and joint ventures.” Linda Mutesi Arinitwe, a Ugandan architect and lecturer at Makerere University who also runs Nkorera Design Studio, attended the Kigali event. Having previously visited design sites in Italy, she described the arrival of Italian Smart Living in Rwanda as a much-anticipated opportunity to access premium materials closer to home. “This is the first time such an event is being hosted in our region, and it brings Italy much closer to us,” she said. “If I have a project, I no longer need to search for companies in Europe. With their presence in Kigali, just a nine-hour bus ride from Uganda, I can easily organize what I need and have it shipped. That accessibility is a game-changer.” Arinitwe explained that for years, East African designers had to rely on middlemen, which not only increased costs but also limited customization. “Now, we can engage directly with manufacturers, have products tailored to our clients’ preferences, and receive them within days instead of waiting eight or ten weeks for overseas shipping,” she noted. “This creates a stronger sense of East African connectivity, where materials can move seamlessly between Kampala, Kigali, Nairobi, and Dar es Salaam.” She praised Italian Smart Living for embracing regional unity, reiterating, “Instead of treating us as separate markets, they’re recognizing our shared East African identity, our Ubuntu. Whether you're in construction, furnishing, consultancy, or even a client, you now have access to authentic, high-quality products within reach, without the risks of fraud or uncertainty that often come with distant sourcing.” On the common belief that Italian products are unaffordable, Arinitwe argued that the Kigali showcase helped dispel the stereotype. “It challenges the notion that Made in Italy automatically means ‘too expensive.’ While some products are luxurious, there is also a range that is competitively priced. For too long, architects have been forced to compromise on final finishes because of limited access, but now our clients can enjoy genuine quality at different price levels,” she said. She added that middlemen’s profit margins were a key factor in making Italian imports seem out of reach. Direct access, she explained, changes that dynamic. “This breaks the old mindset that Europe is only for a certain class. If you compare quality with affordability, many clients can now find a middle ground and invest in superior products,” Arinitwe emphasized. “Many of these Italian companies are willing to train our technicians and craftsmen. That means we don’t always need to import workmanship, we can build our own capacity here. It creates jobs, builds skills, and ensures that high standards are maintained locally. Done right, it’s a win-win.” Marco Moscardi, the Director of Casa Italia in Kigali, stressed that Italian Smart Living is committed to more than sales. “We didn’t come here just to sell and go. We are here to build lasting partnerships, introduce specialized installation teams, and ensure accountability and service,” he noted. “Rwanda’s location and opportunities make it the right place to grow. We are here to stay.” As Italian Smart Living establishes its footprint in Kigali, it positions itself not just as a showroom but as a full-service procurement and design office, committed to affordability, customization, and engineering value.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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