Made in Rwanda: Velano toothbrush factory opens in Kigali #rwanda #RwOT

The factory, founded by South Sudanese dentist Dr. Moustafa Hussein Abbas, is driven by a medical-first approach aimed at improving oral health standards. Operating under Next Day Company Ltd, it focuses on producing quality toothbrushes entirely within Rwanda.

During a visit by IGIHE, Factory Manager Eng. Mohamed Elmudathir Abdelrahman revealed that Velano has a daily production capacity of 120,000 toothbrushes.

'Every Velano toothbrush is manufactured from scratch here in Rwanda, using local labour and expertise,' said Eng. Abdelrahman. 'We aim to set a new standard in medical-quality toothbrushes while keeping prices affordable for all.'

According to the management, Velano manufactures every component locally from polypropylene (PP) plastic handles moulded using injection machines to the final packaging. Each toothbrush is tufted with bristles and undergoes quality inspection before distribution.

The brand currently offers two packaging options for consumers: a strip line priced between Frw 300 and 400, and individual packaging costing between Frw 650 and 750.

Both packaging options maintain the same medical-grade quality, drawing on Dr. Abbas's research and dental expertise, according to Eng. Abdelrahman.

Empowering local workforce

The factory employs 35 staff, with plans to expand to 150 employees as production scales up. Women make up an impressive 89% of the current workforce.

Additionally, employees are receiving hands-on training in operating advanced manufacturing machinery, a contribution to Rwanda's broader skills development agenda.

'Industry is the future for Rwanda,' Eng. Abdelrahman noted. 'By building our factory from scratch with local talent, we are contributing to the economy, creating jobs, and supporting skills growth.'

Accessibility across the country

Velano toothbrushes are already available for bulk and direct purchase. The company is working with distributors to ensure its products reach households in every corner of Rwanda.

The launch aligns with Rwanda's broader push to boost domestic production and develop competitive manufacturing sectors. It follows recent investments in oral-care production, including the opening of the Pro Smile Toothpaste Factory in November 2024 within the Kigali Special Economic Zone.

The industry sector continued to play a central role in Rwanda's economy in the second quarter of 2025, contributing 21% of GDP and recording a 7% growth rate, equivalent to 1.5 percentage points of overall economic growth.

The performance was driven by gains in mining, construction, and manufacturing, highlighting the country's ongoing industrialisation push. Within the sector, manufacturing expanded by 8%, supported by growth in food processing (10%), metal products, machinery and equipment (19%), chemicals, rubber and plastic products (24%), and non-metallic minerals, mainly cement (23%).

The strong performance in chemicals, rubber, and plastic products is particularly noteworthy, as it directly reflects the emergence of local facilities like Velano.

At the national level, Rwanda's economy grew by 7.8% in Q2 2025, supported by agriculture (8%) and services (9%), with key drivers including trade, transport, financial services, and ICT. GDP at current market prices was estimated at Frw 5,798 billion, up from Frw 4,966 billion in the same quarter of 2024.

The Velano Toothbrush Factory officially opened its doors early this month in Gahanga.

The factory, founded by South Sudanese dentist Dr. Moustafa Hussein Abbas, is driven by a medical-first approach aimed at improving oral health standards.

The brand currently offers two packaging options for consumers: a strip line priced between Frw 300 and 400, and individual packaging costing between Frw 650 and 750.