About Ishyo Foods | Our Story & Rwandan Dairy Mission

Sharon Akanyana, Founder and Managing Director of Ishyo Foods

Our founder

From a home kitchen to Ishyo Foods.

Ishyo Foods Ltd’s Sharon Akanyana is the Founder and Managing Director. Sharon started the business from humble origins in her home kitchen, with a love of cooking and high-quality local ingredients.

Sharon has a degree in agriculture and a Masters in developmental studies. She was looking for work but hadn’t found any. This, however, gave her ample time to explore her passion for cooking.

When she shared her fresh, homemade yoghurt and fruit jams with friends and family, they loved her products. So, the idea of turning passion into business was born.

Yoghurt cups being filled on the Ishyo Foods production line

What Ishyo Foods does

Quality food, made close to home.

Ishyo Foods produces yoghurt and jams using locally sourced milk and fruit, combining agricultural knowledge, food production standards and a brand personality that feels warm, confident and proudly Rwandan.

The company works across the full value chain: sourcing from farmers, producing in Kigali, supplying supermarkets and retail outlets, and supporting nutrition initiatives that reach vulnerable communities.

Sharon’s story remains the beginning, but Ishyo’s work today is bigger: building a local food company with consistent quality, reliable supply and meaningful impact.

Our purpose

A brighter future for Rwanda.

Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda was a dark time. Today, Rwandans want to focus on growth and rebuilding, supporting our communities and those less fortunate. Creating quality food businesses is a critical part of rebuilding a stronger, more prosperous Rwanda.

Ishyo Foods is proud to be part of the new Rwanda. Growing and upscaling our business means we can support even more Rwandan families, in our factory and on our farms.

Every jar of Ishyo jam and pot of Ishyo yoghurt helps improve livelihoods, security and the wellbeing of Rwandans, especially women and children, while building stronger communities with greater economic security.

We want to share our jams and yoghurts with as many people as possible, and we are open to international partners.