Born and raised in Bujumbura, Burundi, Saya is of Persian (Iranian) and Burundian descent. After completing her studies in Burundi, she moved to Iran, her father's homeland, seeking new opportunities and a chance to connect with her roots.
'After finishing my studies, I decided to go to my father's country. I had never lived there and thought it would be like Africaâ€"liberated (free and open). I knew it was a Muslim country, but I didn't realise how strict it would be, particularly for women. I thought I'd manage, but it was a very hard place to live as a lady. Despite my family's warnings, I insisted: 'No, I'm going to try. After all, it's my country,'' she says.
She spent nearly two years working at a large travel agency, gaining experience and exposure to professional life. But she quickly realised that as a woman, her ability to grow as an entrepreneur was severely limited.
Journey to Rwanda
During this time, her fiancé, who was living in Kigali, encouraged her to visit Rwanda. 'He kept telling me, 'Come to Kigali, give it a try. Rwanda has developed, it's now the Singapore of Africa.' I was hesitant, but he insisted, 'Just come for one day and judge for yourself.''
That one-day visit changed her perspective. 'I went back to Iran and made the decision to move permanently to Rwanda. I started planning to open my beauty center in Kigali. Rwanda had advanced 20 years ahead of what I had known,' Saya says.
Six months later, Saya relocated to Kigali. 'I was impressed by how efficient everything wa, no corruption, clear processes, and the business setup was remarkably smooth. From finding a location to importing equipment from Italy and China, everything was fast. Rwanda makes the impossible possible,' she explains.
In September 2025, Persian Beauty Spa and Laser Center opened with four employees. Rapid demand quickly expanded the team to 13.
The Iran conflict experience
Saya's journey wasn't without danger. While travelling to Iran to pick up equipment for her spa and attend a family wedding, she became trapped amid the Iran-Israel conflict.
'Those 11 days of war were the worst period of my life. I had to sleep in underground metro stations, seeing fires, bombs, and missiles. Communication was cut offâ€"no internet, no calls. I couldn't reach my family or fiancé,' she recalls.
Eventually, she reached her fiancé, who secured embassy letters and arranged transport to the border. 'I begged, cried, and spent the night on the ground at the border post. The next morning, an officer finally let me through,' she says.
Back in Kigali, she resumed work. 'That experience was the only real challenge I've faced as an entrepreneur, not opening the business in Rwanda, but being stuck in Iran during the conflict,' she notes.
Saya invested around $45,000 (approximately Rwf 66 million Rwandan francs) to launch the spa in Kibagabaga, importing high-quality European skincare devices. Persian Beauty Spa and Laser Center offers facials, acne and hyperpigmentation treatments, therapeutic massages, nail care, and more.
Her clients include both Rwandan and international customers. 'Rwandan women take incredible care of themselves even in their 50s and 60s; their skin remains smooth and wrinkle-free,' she says, adding, 'I would like to welcome everyone to the Persian Beauty Spa and Laser Center. It's a great opportunity to try our services and meet me in person. You won't regret it.'
Watch the full video to see Saya's journey from Iran to building her dream spa in Kigali.
Rania Umutoni
