How Tresor Gashonga turned a farmer’s loss into a thriving chili innovation brand — The Story of Incuti Foods

Determined to create a solution that added value instead of waste, Tresor transformed that moment of frustration into the birth of Incuti Foods, a bold chili value-addition brand now shaping Rwanda’s modern food culture.

Tresor’s journey began unexpectedly in late 2022. A trained food scientist raised in Rwamagana among farming families, he met a farmer named Alice, a mother of five who had harvested 10 metric tons of chili but could not find a buyer.

“I didn’t plan this business. When I met Alice, she was desperate. She had produced over 10 tons of chili during a low-demand season, but no buyer. I couldn’t help her at that moment, and it made me think about creating a lasting solution. That’s how the idea was born.”

Faced with the recurring challenge of post-harvest losses, Tresor decided to develop a product that would prevent chili from going to waste while creating new value on the market. That decision marked the birth of Incuti Foods.

Incuti Foods is more than a chili processing plant. It is a food brand built around “food experience” a blend of flavor innovation and modern culinary culture.

“We produce different chili sauce flavors, and we also offer a unique chicken wings experience through our kitchen concept and mobile app. Customers get to taste our sauces directly through our wings packages.”

The company has developed seven distinct chili flavors, crafted from Rwandan ingredients and designed for local and international palates.

Today, Incuti Foods Operates a production facility in Gahanga, Employs over 15 full-time staff, 95% of whom are youth and women, Collaborates with around 50 chili farmers, Has sold hundreds of thousands of bottles and Exports to Kenya, Nigeria, the UK, the US, and Oman

“We’ve built a strong brand. People truly love our products, and that drives us every day.”

AGRA, through the Mastercard Foundation Fund, is helping youth-led agribusinesses scale. Tresor says AGRA has been instrumental in providing mentorship, exposure, and international linkages.

“AGRA is doing an amazing job. They empower youth and women, provide market linkages, training, and even funding opportunities. At the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, I pitched Incuti Foods to investors and met customers we are still engaging today.”

One of the buyers he met in Senegal even traveled to Rwanda recently for due diligence, showing the seriousness of the market opportunities AGRA creates.

Following the Dakar Africa Food Systems Forum, Incuti Foods successfully raised funding to open a new chicken wings kitchen, which launches on December 1st.

“After Dakar, we raised significant investment to build our new kitchen concept. It’s fully ready, and we’re excited to open.”

At the same time, the company is raising USD 500,000 to expand production capacity, increase exports, and scale brand visibility.

Tresor participated in the official launch of NSYEAS and highlights its importance:

“One big idea from NSYEAS is working in clusters. When chili processors unite, we can meet international market demands that are too big for one company. Bringing youth together in value chain groups is essential for competing globally.”

Networking was another major takeaway:

“At the NSYEAS forum, I met more than 20 people within the chili value chain alone. These connections will shape joint production and market expansion.” He said

Looking ahead, Tresor’s greatest ambition is scaling Incuti Foods into Africa’s leading hot sauce brand.

“We want partners who help us expand into global markets. Our goal is to make Rwanda the home of Africa’s premier chili sauces. When you think chili in Rwanda or Africa we want you to think of Incuti.”

Key asks include Partnerships for market expansion, Investment in production scaling, Support in meeting global food safety standards and Linkages to international buyers and distributors

After three years on the market, Incuti Foods has built a fully equipped processing plant, a strong national brand, Seven commercially successful chili flavors, a chicken wings kitchen concept, a workforce dominated by youth and women, a network of 50 smallholder farmers and presence in five export markets

He has a Message to Youth Who Want to Start Something: “Start with what you have. Be confident, act fast, fail, learn, and improve. Know your numbers they run everything. And make sure your product is something people truly want to buy.” He said

In just three years, Incuti Foods has built an impressive foodprint on the market, developing seven unique chili flavors and expanding its workforce to 15 employees, 95% of whom are youth and women while partnering with 50 local chili farmers. The company has sold more than 100,000 bottles both locally and internationally, reaching five export destinations and establishing itself as a rising player in Africa’s agri-food landscape. With a current fundraising target of $500,000 to scale production and strengthen its global presence, Incuti Foods has launched a new kitchen concept on December 1, marking yet another milestone in its rapid growth trajectory.

Tresor Gashonga turned one farmer’s crisis into a solution now transforming Rwanda’s chili industry

Inside the Gahanga facility where Incuti Foods produces seven signature chili flavors for local and global markets