Groupe Duval to open 10 Super U supermarkets in Rwanda

RWANDA – French multinational Groupe Duval has announced a partnership with Coopérative U to establish its first U Express supermarket in Rwanda, with the inaugural store to be located at Inzovu Mall in Kigali.

The agreement sets a target of opening 10 outlets across the country within the next five years, signaling the retailer’s entry into Rwanda’s growing modern trade sector.

This move comes months after Spar entered Rwanda in April 2025 through a partnership with local chain Sawa Citi, which is rebranding all its stores under the Spar name, beginning with a location in Kigali’s Nyarutarama suburb.

For Coopérative U, Rwanda will become its 11th market on the African continent, adding to its existing presence in francophone West and Central Africa, as well as in Mauritius, Morocco, and Madagascar.

Groupe Duval is already active in retail markets across Africa, operating in Cameroon through Duval Arno Distribution, a joint venture with the Arno Group that runs two supermarkets under the Arno name.

In Cameroon, the company also works with Intermarché while running a separate furniture and household goods business, BUT by Arno, though in that market Coopérative U is represented by Mercure International.

Rwanda’s Retail Food Market

The Rwandan fresh meat sector is projected to generate US$635.18 million in 2025, with forecasts pointing to an annual growth rate of 12.5 percent through 2030 and per capita consumption averaging 5.3 kilograms.

Market research firms are also preparing assessments of the packaged food industry for the 2025 to 2031 period, covering product segments such as dairy, bakery, and beverages, with supermarkets and e-commerce expected to serve as major distribution channels.

Further analysis is anticipated to detail the overall grocery retail market, including the size, value, and shares of modern outlets compared to traditional and pharmacy-based sales points.

Consumer demand is being shaped by nutrition-focused initiatives, including programs led by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition that aim to expand access to healthier foods among lower-income households, women, and children.

At present, Kigali’s supermarket landscape is dominated by local and regional operators, including Simba Supermarket with 13 branches, Sawa Citi which is shifting to the Spar format, the centrally located 2000 Supermarket, and Sharma Supermarket, which caters to customers seeking imported specialty goods.

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