Every year, around one billion tires reach the end of their usable life globally, according to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Many of them are left to pile up in landfills, creating serious health and environmental risks. But in Rwanda, one young entrepreneur has turned this global waste problem into a creative opportunity—by making shoes.
Kevine Kagirimpundu, a creative design graduate from the University of Rwanda, saw limited job prospects ahead of her. Rather than waiting for an opportunity, she created one. Her journey began with research into locally sourced, recycled materials, leading to an unexpected discovery—old tires could be reused as soles for sandals.
In 2013, alongside her friend and business partner Ysolde Shimwe, Kagirimpundu launched Uzuri K&Y, a footwear brand named with their initials and the Swahili word for “beauty and goodness.” The brand’s mission was clear: to combine fashion with environmental and social impact.
Rwanda’s firm environmental policies provided inspiration. The country banned plastic bags in 2008 and moved to prohibit single-use plastics such as straws and bottles in 2019. Uzuri K&Y fit right into that national vision, offering handcrafted, eco-friendly sandals for men, women, and children.
“We wanted to be different, but also part of the solution,” Kagirimpundu explained. “At the time, Rwanda was banning plastic bags, and we thought, how can we contribute? This wasn’t just about making products—it was about creating a source of income for us and others like us.”
Today, the company operates out of a production facility in Kigali. When operating at full capacity, the facility can manufacture over 4,500 pairs of sandals per month. The sandals are sold online and through retail stores in Rwanda and Nairobi, Kenya.
The environmental benefit of this initiative is real and measurable. In 2022, Rwanda’s Environment Management Authority reported that over 5,000 tons of used tires were discarded. Kagirimpundu says Uzuri K&Y has removed 10 metric tons of that waste from landfills—repurposing it into durable, stylish footwear.
But Kagirimpundu believes that the company’s greatest impact may be its social footprint. “We had to create a business that became a source of employment, especially for women,” she said.
Recognizing that very few people had experience in shoemaking, Kagirimpundu started a training program to teach locals how to become artisans and small business owners. Since its launch, over 1,500 young people have gone through the program—around 70% of them women.
In a country with an unemployment rate hovering around 13%—and 14.5% among women—providing a steady source of income is a game-changer. “It’s priceless,” she said. “It’s the whole collective of women working together to create something big, something important.”
Uzuri K&Y has grown from humble beginnings into a brand that is both impactful and scalable, proving that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand. For Kagirimpundu, it’s more than just business—it’s about purpose, progress, and people.
