Spar opens first store in Rwanda through Sawa Citi partnership
The move marks Spar’s entry into East Africa and its 12th active market on the continent.
RWANDA – Spar has opened its first supermarket in Rwanda marking a major step in the company’s expansion into East Africa as part of its African growth plans.
The new outlet is located in Nyarutarama, a high-end neighborhood in Kigali popular with diplomats and expatriates. The store launch follows a partnership with Rwandan retailer Sawa Citi, which has rebranded one of its stores under the Spar name.
Sawa Citi, Rwanda’s second-largest supermarket operator, owns nine stores. It plans to roll out more Spar outlets in the coming months using both full-sized supermarkets and smaller shops at fuel stations. Online ordering and home delivery services are also in the pipeline.
Speaking during the store opening, a Sawa Citi representative said, “We see strong demand for modern retail services in Kigali. Partnering with Spar allows us to offer better product variety and convenience to our shoppers.”
Stronger retail competition expected
The entry of Spar is likely to change how supermarkets operate in Rwanda. The company’s pricing strategy and customer service standards could push local chains to improve.
“We expect this move to raise the bar,” said a Kigali-based retail analyst. “Rwandan consumers will have more choices, which is good for the entire market.”
Spar operates under a franchise model where local partners run stores independently but follow Spar’s guidelines. The Dutch multinational has more than 13,900 stores across 48 countries.
In Africa, Spar’s operations are mainly run through Spar South Africa, which manages outlets in countries including Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana.
Although Sawa Citi has not publicly stated it, market observers believe it will continue converting more of its outlets into Spar and Spar Express stores. Trendtype, a market research firm, said, “We anticipate a gradual switch from Sawa Citi to Spar branding across the existing stores.”
Boost for local suppliers and digital services
Spar’s presence is also expected to help local producers. The company often sources some products locally, which could benefit Rwandan farmers and manufacturers. This could create more opportunities for small businesses to supply to a wider customer base.
Digital shopping is another area set to improve. Once Spar’s delivery and e-commerce services go live, Rwandan consumers will enjoy new levels of convenience.
“We are working hard to bring online shopping to more households,” said a spokesperson from Sawa Citi. “We know customers want easy and reliable options, especially in fast-growing cities like Kigali.”
Spar’s entry into Rwanda comes as the country sees rising urban populations and a growing middle class. The company’s focus on ease of access and strong local ties fits well with this trend.
With this latest move, Spar now operates in 12 African countries, having exited Mauritius and Malawi in recent years.
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