From prime minister’s office to poultry farming: the story of Michel Christophe Mbadinga in Rwanda, the gabonese investor who chose chickens over politics

“I arrived in Rwanda in 2020 with one goal, to make this project a reality,”

Mbadinga recalls with pride, as he gestures toward the well-built poultry structures that stand as a testament to his vision.

But this wasn’t his original plan. At first, Mbadinga set out to rear egg-laying hens layers that produce eggs. However, reality soon hit. The process was stressful, time-consuming, and not as rewarding as he hoped.

“I started with layers, but it was too stressful. So I switched to broilers because of time. With broilers, I only need about 21 days. With layers, it takes six months. Do you see the difference?” he explains, smiling.

Why Rwanda?

For Mbadinga, the choice of Rwanda was not random. Before settling here, he explored several countries.

“I went to Zimbabwe, it wasn’t suitable. Ivory Coast, no. Cameroon, no. Even in my own country, the conditions weren’t favorable,” he says. “But Rwanda stood out. In terms of investment security and flexibility, this is where I saw opportunity.”

He spent 300 million Rwandan francs sunk into building two poultry houses

His investment speaks volumes, 300 million Rwandan francs sunk into building two poultry houses and acquiring modern equipment.

“This country gives foreigners like me a chance to invest. That’s why I’m here,” he says confidently.

Breaking Cultural Barriers

Entering a new market is never easy. Mbadinga quickly learned that understanding local culture was key.

“Here, people love their village chickens. So when you bring broilers, it’s a challenge. You have to teach them that chicken is chicken. The meat is the same,” he explains with a laugh.

Challenges in the Journey

Every success story has its hurdles. For Mbadinga, the toughest season is the dry season.

“Water is a big problem during the three dry months. We need clean water for the chickens, and sometimes we struggle. I hope the government can help us with that,” he appeals.

Impact and Employment

From an idea to a thriving business, his project now employs 10 permanent workers and created jobs for about 300 people during construction.

“At first, I hired almost the entire neighborhood. Later, I trained 10 young people, and now they work professionally. I don’t have problems with them they work very well,” he says proudly.

A Former Prime Minister’s Advisor Turned Farmer

Surprisingly, poultry was not his first career. Mbadinga held prestigious positions in Gabon, including Principal Inspector of Telecommunications, Program Director, and even Advisor to the Prime Minister.

“You will ask me; how did I go from that to farming? It’s because I saw my retirement coming. I told myself: instead of sitting and doing nothing, I should invest,” he shares. “I want to be an example to young people, if you cross your arms, you won’t achieve anything.”

He raised over 25,000 broiler chickens

Even Gabon’s leadership recognized his efforts. “When the President heard about my project, he congratulated me and even asked me to open something similar in Gabon,” he reveals.

For Mbadiga, this is just the beginning. He plans to expand and make his farm a model of success in Rwanda’s poultry industry.

“The chickens sell very well. My goal is to grow the farm. It will take time, but we will get there,” he says with determination.

Besides selling chickens, he also sells manure from his poultry farming.

Michel Christophe Mbadinga’s journey is more than a business venture; it is a lesson in courage, adaptability, and vision. From the corridors of power in Gabon to the quiet farms of Nyamata, he has proven that true leadership is not about titles but about action and impact. With determination and a willingness to embrace change, Mbadinga has turned challenges into opportunities and in the process, he continues to inspire a new generation of Africans to dream big, start small, and never give up.