Why Kigali Could Be the Next Destination for Your Work Retreat

When I first thought about Rwanda as a destination for a work retreat, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect.

I knew the country had built a reputation for being one of Africa's cleanest and most organised capitals. I had also heard about its growing tech ecosystem and relatively calm environment, but none of that really prepared me for what it would feel like to arrive there with the Techloy team.

That, more than anything, made the trip feel like more than a company retreat.

It was close enough to feel possible, but far enough to feel like a trip 

For one, I didn't think the journey would be five hours long, which was enough time for the excitement and anticipation to build, especially for those of us who hadn't travelled outside our usual boundaries before.

The thorough check-ins, though, were a bit overwhelming, and moving from one immigration control to another meant going through several checks before we could finally make our way out. 

But even with all that, I was more anxious about meeting our CEO and COO, whom I hadn't seen before, and the expectations of the new environment.  Yet getting to meet them felt almost natural, like seeing a friend you have always known.

For Sietoyo Esitikott, our Data Journalist, meeting the team in person was one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

“I was finally able to put faces, personalities and mannerisms to people I had been working and speaking with online for so long.”

Emmanuel Usen, community and growth manager, too, described the experience as going from seeing colleagues as avatars to seeing them as people.

“From avatar on screens, to hugs and smiles in-person, it felt like stepping into a new portal and I had fun all the way.”

There is room to actually get work done 

A work retreat still has "work" in it, and for the most part, it was exciting once we settled into our hotel.

We had our daily stand-ups in a spacious meeting hall with a breakout terrace. It was the first time many of us were sitting together physically to discuss the same work we normally handled remotely.

Ideas seemed to come more naturally when everyone was in the same room. A conversation that might have ended after a virtual meeting could continue even when people were still sitting together. There was no screen separating one person from another, no need to wait for someone to unmute, and no quick sign-off before everyone disappeared back into their separate routines.

Senior Technology Writer, Chivumnovu Ogbonda felt the difference too.

“For me there's a different feeling when working in-person, everything clicks a bit better. The chemistry, understanding, and ability to be creative just gets better.”

“I loved the experience so much because I could finally connect with each person in deeper ways than our usual workflow permitted. What stood out for me was how creativity flowed so smoothly in person without any screen to hide behind or leave room for distractions,” Adesola Ibeyemi, Head of Commercial.

That difference was particularly noticeable during our roundtable discussions and brainstorming sessions. We could think on our feet, exchange ideas more freely and work through strategies for improving our work, increasing engagement, and growing the company.

One of Chivu's most memorable moments was pitching ideas the team could implement over the next six to 12 months.

While there were a lot of great things to say about the scenery and the city itself, having constant electricity and reliable internet was also a memorable part of the experience.

As a remote team working across different locations in Nigeria, we're used to dealing with unstable power and internet while trying to get work done. So being able to sit down, open our laptops, and work without worrying about either of those things being interrupted made a difference.

It was one less thing to think about, and it meant we could focus more on the work and on being around each other.

It feels different from a usual work environment 

One of the first places we visited after work was Norrsken House Kigali. Here, we got to experience first-hand what the city's growing tech ecosystem looks like.

Gaga Jean Paul, the house coordinator, introduced us to the building, talking about its history and how it has grown into a community of founders and tech enthusiasts. Some of our team members also got to speak with founders there, which gave us a better sense of the people building and working in the space.

What stood out to me most was the scale and capacity of the place, as well as the scenery. The building had been remodeled from a school but had been turned into a space where people could work, meet and connect.