Sharon Akanyana, Founder and Managing Director of Ishyo Foods

Our founder

From a Home Kitchen to Ishyo Foods

Before Ishyo Foods had a factory, it had a kitchen.


When Sharon Akanyana saw how much her children loved yoghurt, she set out to learn how to make it herself. She experimented, perfected her recipe, and began making yoghurt from scratch at home.


Soon, friends and family were asking for more. What started as a mother’s labour of love became an idea worth pursuing and Sharon turned that idea into Ishyo Foods.


Today, that little kitchen experiment has grown into a thriving food business, bringing locally made yoghurt and jams to more tables.

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.

Our purpose

A brighter future for Rwanda.

Creating quality food businesses is an important part of building a stronger, more prosperous Rwanda.

Ishyo Foods is proud to be part of Rwanda’s growth. 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.

An Ishyo Foods quality inspector beside stacked crates of packaged yoghurt