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By Annonciata Byukusenge
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has announced that 40 baby gorillas, including 18 born in 2024, will be given names during the Kwita Izina naming ceremony, scheduled for September 5, 2025.
This event will take place at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Musanze District. It will mark the 20th edition of the ceremony and will be attended by guests alongside residents from the Northern Province, as well as visitors from across Rwanda and abroad.
Irene Murerwa, Head of the Tourism Department at RDB, expressed Rwanda’s pride in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Kwita Izina, emphasizing its importance in biodiversity conservation.
She said: “We are proud to celebrate 20 years of Kwita Izina. It is a festival that has become a symbol of biodiversity conservation, partnership, and Rwandan culture.
This achievement is thanks to the unwavering dedication and strong support from all stakeholders, including the Government of Rwanda, our partners, and the local communities.”
Since its inception in 2005, the Kwita Izina ceremony has seen 397 baby gorillas named. The event is internationally recognized for highlighting Rwanda’s role in environmental conservation.
According to RDB’s 2024 annual report, tourism generated $647 million (over 932 billion Rwandan Francs), reflecting a 4.3% increase compared to the previous year. This growth was largely driven by a 27% rise in revenue from gorilla-based tourism.
