Across Muhanga Town, hair salons and barbershops have become an important source of employment and income for young people, offering practical skills and daily earnings in a challenging job market.
A walk through different neighborhoods of the town reveals more than 30 salons and barbershops providing services such as hairdressing, makeup, manicure and pedicure. Inside each salon, between four and seven young men and women can be found attending to clients. The steady flow of customers demonstrates how these businesses have grown into reliable sources of livelihood and economic empowerment for youth, several of whom spoke to ICK News.
At Rumuri Hair Salon, 24-year-old Rumuri Ange says she joined the beauty industry in 2023 after completing a six-month internship at another salon. She initially started the business with three partners, who later withdrew within the first six months.
“I realized that my dreams depended on using the opportunity I had,” Rumuri said. “The first year was very difficult, but after that, things started to improve.”
A similar experience is seen at Queen Salon, where most employees are young women in their twenties. The owner, Claudine Mukamana, says salons provide young women with financial independence in a society where economic opportunities are not always equal. One of her manicure and pedicure stylists, Joselyne Niyonsaba, says her long-term goal is to own her own salon.
“There is nothing better than working in a salon,” she said. “What you need are skills and time, and you can earn regularly because clients are always there.”
At Trust Salon, the focus is on young men, many of whom once believed that success depended solely on working in the field they studied at school. The owner, Iradukunda Jean d’Amour, employs more than four young men at his barbershop.
“When you work hard, nothing can stop you from developing,” he said, adding that despite challenges such as rent, competition and the cost of equipment, salons remain realistic solutions to youth unemployment.
The scale and services of salons in Muhanga vary depending on location, equipment and reputation. Salons specializing in women’s hair braiding, makeup and nail care charge between 5,000 and 70,000 Rwandan francs per client, depending on the service and whether extensions are included. In barbershops, a regular male haircut costs about 500 francs, while VIP services can reach 1,000 francs.
Overall, salons and barbershops in Muhanga are estimated to employ around 150 people directly, the majority of them women. The number rises significantly when indirect jobs such as suppliers of hair extensions, cosmetics and equipment, are included, highlighting the sector’s growing contribution to youth employment and local economic development.
Authors: Jules Roger Rwema & Denyse Uwamahoro
