Located in Kigali, the new facility is designed to provide high-quality ingredients and tailored flavour solutions to local manufacturers, reinforcing Kerry's commitment to localisation and sustainable production in emerging markets.
The company says the move is part of a broader €1 billion strategy to accelerate growth and sustainability across the global food industry, with a focus on fast-growing regions like Africa.
The launch event was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), local academic institutions, manufacturers from across the country, and Jill Clements, the Deputy Head of Mission to Uganda and Rwanda at the Embassy of Ireland.
"The establishment of this facility in Rwanda marks a significant step towards realising our vision to bring delicious and nutritious products, produced with world-class quality, to millions of African consumers," said Jad Neaime, General Manager of Kerry Africa.
"As the only global taste and nutrition solutions company producing in East Africa, we aim to partner with our customers to help them solve their unique challenges and grow their business by leveraging our innovative technologies and global network.'
Kerry's new plant is built with sustainability at its core, incorporating zero waste to landfill operations, high-efficiency utility systems, and a custom-designed wastewater treatment process. The company emphasised that these features align with its global environmental targets and commitment to responsible manufacturing.
The Kigali facility strengthens Kerry's presence in East Africa, which began in 2018 with the opening of a technology and innovation centre in Kenya. Since then, the company has expanded its footprint to seven manufacturing sites across Africa, including operations in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, South Africa, Nigeria, and now Rwanda, along with sales offices in Lagos and Nairobi.
Neaime highlighted Rwanda's dynamic food processing sector as a key driver behind the company's decision.
'Producing in Rwanda strengthens our localisation plans and brings us closer to our customers and their needs,' he said.
'This includes building local partnerships, expanding local sourcing, and recruiting and upskilling local talent to drive community-level growth.'
The facility is expected to play a central role in delivering flavour and nutrition solutions tailored to local preferences, while enabling Kerry to scale up support for food and beverage manufacturers across the region.
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