UMUHUZA HIRWA Jeanluc

I’m a leather product designer and entrepreneur from Rwanda, with over five years of experience in footwear and leather manufacturing. I co-founded Mouzah Design Ltd, where I design and produce leather sandals and accessories that are simple, durable, and inspired by modern African style. For me, design is not just about how something looks—it’s about how it feels, how long it lasts, and how people actually use it in their daily lives. I spend a lot of time close to the production process, working directly with materials and understanding what works and what doesn’t. That hands-on experience has shaped my approach to creating products that are both practical and well-crafted. I also had the opportunity to attend a shoemaking training in China, which helped me improve my technical skills and see how global standards can be applied in our local context. It changed the way I think about quality and consistency in design. What drives me most is the idea of building something meaningful through design. I want to create products that reflect who we are, while also opening opportunities for others. I believe African design has a strong voice, and I’m interested in contributing to its growth in a way that is honest, modern, and connected to real people.