By Jennifer Fierberg, MSW Salem-News.com
Now retired, this Rwandan businessman is a leader in Africa as an industrialist who has spent 52 successful years manufacturing tobacco, tea, snack foods and cement.
(WASHINGTON, DC) – After a long flight to Washington DC, Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa sat down with this writer for an exclusive two-hour interview. Upon meeting him, one can immediately sense that Mr. Ayabatwa is a humble man with an obvious desire to improve the business community of Africa as well as empowering the lives of Africans through support in their business ventures. He is a soft-spoken man with a welcoming smile that never left his face no matter the topic.
Mr. Ayabatwa is retired but is certainly not lacking energy and drive. He is a leader in Africa as an industrialist who has spent 52 successful years manufacturing tobacco, tea, snack foods and cement. With businesses in 10 countries and 27 nations across Africa and the Middle East, he says he spends his retirement “going around with a fire extinguisher.” Speaking on his retirement, Mr. Ayabatwa said, “I am very proud of what I’ve accomplished over the last five decades. I have worked extremely hard to create jobs and opportunities for Africans and have no doubt that my sons and son-in-law will lead my companies successfully into the future.” His businesses have been able to provide employment for about 26,000 people who in turn support at least 182,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa. FULL STORY