BUSINESS STRATEGY

French-based ‘U’ supermarket and hypermarket brand opening in Rwanda

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Coopérative U plans at least 10 stores in the country over the next five year, in partnership with property developer Groupe Duval.

The French supermarket group Coopérative U – which operates supermarket and hypermarket brands such as Hyper U, Super U and U Express – has announced plans to open a minimum of 10 stores across Rwanda over the next five years. 

A Super U outlet in Mauritius

A Super U outlet in Mauritius. Photo: Karsten Ratzke via Wikimedia Commons

It will do so through a strategic partnership with Groupe Duval, a French-based property development company which is developing the new Inzovu Mall in Kigali, Rwanda’s largest city. 

 

Inzovu Mall is expected to be the city’s biggest shopping centre and will comprise a retail and leisure hub, a four-star hotel, offices and a business centre. 

 

Coopérative U’s first outlet in Rwanda will be a U Express store, scheduled to open at the mall in early 2026. 

 

Spar brand has recently entered Rwanda 

 

“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,” reports the publication Food Business Africa. 

 

“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. 

 

“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.” 

 

Louis-Victor Duval, CEO of Groupe Duval, says in a statement posted on the company website: “Through this partnership and the upcoming launch of the U brand in Rwanda, we want to give customers easier access to quality products, support the upskilling of local talent, and actively contribute to the country’s growth momentum.” 

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Jason Lottering
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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.