Six years later, the Managing Director of Fortis Green Holdings calls Kigali home, a place where business, purpose, and family have found a shared rhythm. The holding company, active in renewable energy, has expanded into housing and now manages 36 assets across eight countries in Africa.
From Sierra Leone to Kigali
Shafer's African journey began long before Rwanda. In 2008, he moved to Sierra Leone, where he spent nearly seven years investing and working in one of West Africa's toughest environments.
'It's where I fell in love with the idea of using business not just to make money, but to make a difference in people's lives,' he recalls.
After returning to the United States, he and his wife knew they would eventually come back to Africa. Their decision to settle in Kigali, he says, was primarily a family choice.
'We wanted a city that gives us the highest probability of not burning out, safety, pace of life, and access to the rest of the continent. Kigali just felt right.'
Today, the Shafers are firmly rooted. His wife works at the International School of Kigali, their two children are thriving, and the family is building a home in Kibagabaga. 'Now that we're here, this is really where we're supposed to be,' he says with conviction.
Arriving only two months before Covid-19, Shafer witnessed Kigali's transformation from lockdown quiet to post-pandemic vibrancy.
'What's happened since then, from tourism to sports and infrastructure, is incredible,' he says. 'It's an honour to be in Rwanda during this phase of its journey.'
A mission to bridge capital and impact
Through Fortis Green Holdings, Shafer is working to solve a global problem: the lack of electricity affecting more than 600 million Africans. His mission is to attract American capital to invest in sustainable African infrastructure that delivers both financial and social returns.
'Rwanda offers the perfect balance,' he notes. 'There's institutional stability, rule of law, and a genuine partnership spirit from government agencies like REG, EUCL, MININFRA, and RDB.'
Fortis Green today owns three power plants in Rwanda, including the 8.5 MW Agahozo Shalom solar farm, the Rwaza hydropower plant near Musanze, and another project in Nyamasheke.
Beyond the energy itself, Shafer finds meaning in the land that hosts the Agahozo Shalom Youth Village, once home to orphans from the Genocide against the Tutsi and now a haven for vulnerable youth.
'Paying rent there supports their work. We even employ graduates from that school. It's humbling.'
Building the Masaka eco-estate
Last month, Fortis Green broke ground on the Masaka Views Eco-Estate, a $25 million (approximately Rwf 36 billion) project that merges sustainability with community living. Spread over seven hectares, the development includes 33 townhouses, 51 family homes, and about 300 apartments, mixing for-sale and for-rent models.
'Most developers build to sell. We build to own and rent because we believe in Rwanda's growth story. Selling today means giving up the future value we know this economy will create," Shafer explains the long-term vision.
The project will deliver its first homes by early 2026 and the first apartments within 12 months. Each unit is designed with EDGE certification, a global green-building standard that ensures energy and water efficiency, solar water heating, and sustainable materials.
Fortis Green offers three finishing options, from basic shell units to luxury packages, giving families flexibility in choosing their home. Three- and four-bedroom single-family houses are priced between $120,000 and $135,000, appealing to middle-income buyers seeking more flexible financing options.
'We want to be here long term,' Shafer stresses. 'Our goal is to make quality housing attainable without compromising sustainability.'
Nurturing wellness and community
Fortis Green's philosophy extends past walls and roofs. The Masaka Eco-Estate is designed as a living community with gardens, recreation areas, and wellness spaces.
'In 18 to 24 months, we'll have 400 families living there,' Shafer says. 'We take that seriously.'
Plans include community gardens, yoga and exercise classes, and partnerships with mental-health professionals.
'We're still developing these programs, but we want to promote holistic well-being, physical, mental, spiritual, and social.'
Rwanda's investment advantage
Having worked in more than 15 African countries, Shafer considers Rwanda's environment unique.
'The professionalism and predictability are unmatched. You can register a business in 24â€"48 hours, meet officials who show up on time, and have zero tolerance for corruption. That gives investors confidence.'
Most of Fortis Green's funding comes from the United States, complemented by local financing such as loans from the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD). Shafer believes Rwanda's consistency and transparency are key to attracting more international capital.
'The best way to build trust is through success stories,' he says. 'Rwanda is already providing that.'
Jobs, growth, and the next chapter
Fortis Green employs about 40 people across its energy and housing divisions. The Masaka project alone will engage 300 to 400 workers daily during construction.
'Our bigger impact,' Shafer notes, 'is in powering and housing the infrastructure that keeps Rwanda's economy growing.'
The company plans to build 10,000 housing units in 10 years, with several new projects set to be announced soon. Meanwhile, its second energy fund, Green Fund II, targeting $100 million (Rwf 145 billion), is due to launch next year to expand renewable investments across Africa.
Basketball, community, and family life
Outside the boardroom, Shafer's passion takes him to the court. A former college basketball player, he co-founded the Kigali Hoops League, a youth program that trains over 100 children in the Rwandan capital.
'We get the opportunity to play on some courts around the city. We play at Zaria Court on Saturday mornings, and I'd say it's probably the best thing I've started in Kigali on a personal level,' he shares.
At home, family remains his grounding force. 'Our kids have grown up here,' he reflects. 'They get to be children longer, with fewer distractions. We're grateful for that.'
As for his long-term vision, Shafer says his goal is to make Fortis Green a trusted pathway for American investors, creating opportunities that deliver both financial returns and real impact for African communities.
'We're here to stay. We're building a lasting business and, hopefully, a legacy that endures here in Rwanda,' he concludes.
Watch Jonathan Shafer's full exclusive interview with IGIHE below.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
