Mukasahaha Diane empowers women and youth through DIKAM, thus boosting Rwanda’s garment industry and economic growth.
Mukasahaha Diane is a Rwandan entrepreneur and public health expert whose work has left a deep mark on the healthcare and manufacturing sectors. Before founding her company, she spent over 20 years in public health, specialising in HIV/AIDS prevention, health systems strengthening, and palliative care.
As Rwanda’s National Coordinator for Palliative Care within the Ministry of Health, she was instrumental in establishing palliative care as a core component of the national health system. Her initiatives significantly improved access to vital pain relief medications, such as morphine, which were previously hard to come by. This work positioned Rwanda as a leading example of palliative care in Africa. Through collaborations with various partners, she ensured that compassionate care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses became a standard practice within the country’s healthcare services.
After decades in health, Diane shifted into business, founding DIKAM, a garment manufacturing company located in Kigali’s Special Economic Zone. Her goal was to build a successful manufacturing enterprise, create sustainable employment and provide training opportunities for women and youth—particularly teen mothers.
Business + social impact through DIKAM
DIKAM produces high-quality children’s clothing, school uniforms, corporate wear, and medical scrubs. The company is proudly part of the “Made in Rwanda” initiative, which aims to strengthen local manufacturing, reduce imports, and increase Rwanda’s competitiveness in the African garment sector.
Over the years, DIKAM has grown rapidly, employing between 200 and 400 people, with over 80% of the workforce being women. The factory runs apprenticeship and skills development programs, teaching tailoring, textile production, and life skills to help employees achieve long-term self-reliance. Diane sees economic empowerment as a way to address social challenges, and her focus on training ensures that employment at DIKAM is a pathway to stability, not just a short-term job.
The company is also scaling its operations to meet rising demand. A new factory, valued at $1.6 million, was planned to be fully operational by mid-2024. This facility will boost DIKAM’s production capacity to more than 10,000 units per day, improve efficiency through modern machinery, and position the company for export growth. Mukasahaha Diane is already exploring regional markets, including Congo and Gabon, as part of her plan to expand DIKAM’s footprint beyond Rwanda.
Beyond her business activities, the Rwandan businesswoman is a mentor and advocate for women in entrepreneurship. She speaks at events like Youth Café, encouraging young women to pursue opportunities in male-dominated sectors, sharing her own experiences of persistence, big thinking, and resilience. Her dual background in health and business gives her a unique perspective on leadership that values both economic progress and social well-being.
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