Speaking to the media on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during preparations for the event, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said the growing gorilla population is not only beneficial to a single institution, but also generates wider benefits for the country, its people and the world at large.
Mutangana Eugène, Head of the Biodiversity Conservation Department at RDB, said one of Rwanda’s major achievements is its continued commitment to environmental conservation and the growth of the mountain gorilla population.
Mutangana said Kwita Izina has continued to raise Rwanda’s profile internationally and promote tourism, as distinguished individuals are selected each year to name the gorillas and contribute to promoting Rwanda’s image around the world.
“The careful selection of those who name the gorillas is based on identifying people whom we believe can give Rwanda a new image in other countries,” he said.
He added that the birth of new gorillas is a result of daily conservation efforts, including protecting their habitat, monitoring their health and ensuring they have everything they need to survive and reproduce.
Since the launch of Kwita Izina in 2005, the ceremony has grown into an international platform that brings together leaders, researchers, investors, athletes, artists and other prominent figures involved in conservation.
The 22 baby gorillas to be named this year will bring the total number of gorillas named through the initiative to 460 since 2005. The ceremony has attracted high-profile figures from politics, entertainment, business and other sectors over the years.
Musanze District, which will host this year’s ceremony, is also expected to benefit significantly from the event. About 10,000 people are expected to attend, generating demand for accommodation and other services in the area, which has more than 52 hotels with star ratings.
Northern Province Governor Mugabowagahunde Maurice said Kwita Izina is more than just a ceremony, noting that it has contributed to Musanze’s development while creating opportunities for people involved in different businesses.
“Kwita Izina is not simply considered a ceremony because every year it attracts many people to Musanze District and the Northern Province. Visitors contribute to revenues generated by hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tourism companies, farmers, artisans and other businesses operating in the area,” he said.
Mugabowagahunde added that Kwita Izina helps promote Rwanda’s tourism sector internationally and encourages visitors to extend their stays so they can explore other tourist attractions across the country.
Gorilla tourism contributed to Rwanda’s $685 million tourism revenue in 2025
RDB says mountain gorillas made a significant contribution to the $685 million Rwanda earned from tourism in 2025, up from $647 million in 2024.
The revenue was generated from approximately 1.49 million visitors who travelled to Rwanda in 2025, highlighting the growing contribution of tourism to the national economy.
In 2025, Rwanda’s national parks received 155,394 visitors and generated approximately $40.8 million in revenue. Volcanoes National Park remained the leading revenue generator, bringing in about $35.8 million.
Domestic tourism also continued to grow, with the number of Rwandans visiting national parks increasing by 8.1% to more than 59,000 visitors.
There are currently estimated to be about 1,100 mountain gorillas worldwide, and conservation efforts across the countries where they live continue to play an important role in protecting the species while generating valuable tourism revenue.
