Robert Bwimba

Robert Bwimba is a Belgo-Rwandan entrepreneur. He was born in Bukavu, DR Congo. He arrived in Belgium as a young adult to pursue his education. His entrepreneurship career started in the 90’s after meeting with a British-Indian textile investor. Under the investor’s mentorship, Robert got the opportunity to immerse himself in the world of clothing + textiles. After two years of acting as Chief Manager Overseeing the set-up of all of the brand’s clothing outlets in Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France, Robert decided to open his own denim boutiques in Brussels, called Denim Palace. His new business was met with great success, and soon two more boutiques were opened where he sold his brand of jeans, R.B. Jeans.

 

Robert decided to diversify his business and entered Horeca. This new venture was rooted in one of his profound passions, gastronomy. In 1993, Robert bought an Italian restaurant, which later became “Chez Robert,” a meeting spot for the diasporas in Brussels. He further invested in the Brussels’ night life by opening two nightclubs Fair Place and Club 73.

 

In the early 2000s, Robert decided to use his business expertise and invest in Rwanda. The first investment made was in the Rwanda youth through academia. Robert is a Co-founder of The Institute of Applied Sciences Ruhengeri (INES Ruhengeri). He then created a second location of his restaurant, Chez Robert in Kigali.

 

His recent activities include managing his restaurant and presiding over different boards of directors for NGOs and for-profit companies.