Rwanda is steadily establishing itself as a sought-after destination in East Africa, attracting both business travelers and luxury tourists.
The Africa CEO Forum 2026, held in Kigali, formalized, with the support of Cleo Capital Group, the establishment of a new hotel network.
This ambitious project rests on close cooperation between the private sector and the Rwandan authorities.
The signing of the acquisition agreement for Akagera Game Lodge by Louise Kanyonga, deputy CEO of the Rwanda Social Security Board, and the Cleo Capital Group Ltd marks the start of this partnership.
Beyond this acquisition, several hotel management contracts covering the entire circuit were signed by Arnaud Lagesse, president of The Lux Collective and CEO of IBL Group, Emmanuel Rugambwa, president of Akagera Game Lodge, and Eugene Nyagahene, founder and CEO of Cleo Capital Group Ltd.
This collective effort lays the foundations for an infrastructure designed to highlight the country’s natural riches.
The operational calendar will unfold in two major phases, designed to ensure a high-quality implementation.
The Africa CEO Forum 2026, held in Kigali, formalized, with the support of Cleo Capital Group, the establishment of a new hotel network.
This ambitious project rests on close cooperation between the private sector and the Rwandan authorities.
The signing of the acquisition agreement for Akagera Game Lodge by Louise Kanyonga, deputy CEO of the Rwanda Social Security Board, and the Cleo Capital Group Ltd marks the start of this partnership.
Beyond this acquisition, several hotel management contracts covering the entire circuit were signed by Arnaud Lagesse, president of The Lux Collective and CEO of IBL Group, Emmanuel Rugambwa, president of Akagera Game Lodge, and Eugene Nyagahene, founder and CEO of Cleo Capital Group Ltd.
This collective effort lays the foundations for an infrastructure designed to highlight the country’s natural riches.
The operational calendar will unfold in two major phases, designed to ensure a high-quality implementation.
The LUX* Lake Kivu will open mid-2026, with four additional openings to follow
The first phase, planned for mid-2026, involves immediately transforming two existing properties.
The Cleo Lake Kivu, in Karongi, will become The LUX* Lake Kivu, a charming 14-room lakeside retreat focused on outdoor activities and wellness by the lake.
In parallel, Akagera Game Lodge will be renamed SALT of Akagera, with a 60-room complex perched above Lake Ihema, ideal for safaris in the heart of the savannah.
To read: In Rwanda, the bet on elitist tourism
This first phase will be followed by a second stage by 2028, which foresees the construction and opening of three new hotels, thereby expanding the offering to other protected areas of the country.
The LUX* Volcanoes will offer a collection of 26 lodges near the Virunga volcanic chain, envisioned for gorilla-watching expeditions.
Additionally, The LUX* Nyungwe will unveil 26 on-stilt suites integrated into the tropical forest, while The LUX* Akagera will complete the circuit with 26 tents intended for wildlife observation in Akagera National Park.
The Cleo Lake Kivu, in Karongi, will become The LUX* Lake Kivu, a charming 14-room lakeside retreat focused on outdoor activities and wellness by the lake.
In parallel, Akagera Game Lodge will be renamed SALT of Akagera, with a 60-room complex perched above Lake Ihema, ideal for safaris in the heart of the savannah.
To read: In Rwanda, the bet on elitist tourism
This first phase will be followed by a second stage by 2028, which foresees the construction and opening of three new hotels, thereby expanding the offering to other protected areas of the country.
The LUX* Volcanoes will offer a collection of 26 lodges near the Virunga volcanic chain, envisioned for gorilla-watching expeditions.
Additionally, The LUX* Nyungwe will unveil 26 on-stilt suites integrated into the tropical forest, while The LUX* Akagera will complete the circuit with 26 tents intended for wildlife observation in Akagera National Park.
The Lux Collective aims to draw inspiration from regenerative tourism
Beyond the infrastructures and the numbers, this project includes development goals described as regenerative, which aim to concretely reduce the ecological footprint of the sites involved.
From the design phase, construction criteria include the use of renewable energy, water-saving management systems and sourcing policies favoring local supply chains.
To read: The Lux Collective continues its international expansion
On the human and social front, the two partners have announced the establishment of professional training programs for staff, strong support for artisanship and local agriculture, as well as specific initiatives to encourage female entrepreneurship in the areas of deployment.
For the leaders of the entities involved, this initiative fully aligns with the government of Rwanda’s strategy, which seeks to position itself in the niche of low-impact, high-value tourism.
From the design phase, construction criteria include the use of renewable energy, water-saving management systems and sourcing policies favoring local supply chains.
To read: The Lux Collective continues its international expansion
On the human and social front, the two partners have announced the establishment of professional training programs for staff, strong support for artisanship and local agriculture, as well as specific initiatives to encourage female entrepreneurship in the areas of deployment.
For the leaders of the entities involved, this initiative fully aligns with the government of Rwanda’s strategy, which seeks to position itself in the niche of low-impact, high-value tourism.
