Born in Rwanda, Benjamin Gasamagera is a businessman who is passionate about contributing to the transformation of Rwanda’s private sector, and the country at large. In 2013, members of Rwanda’s business community elected Mr Gasamagera as the fifth Chairman of the Private sector Federation (PSF), replacing Faustin Mbundu who had served for the past two years. Prior to election, he was president of the federation’s Chamber of Industry for the past two years.
Background
Mr Gasamagera completed his studies in China at the Beijing Institute of Languages, and the University of Tianjin where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Sciences. He also studied International Transportation in Switzerland. He has worked in many companies, including Printonics China Ltd, and he has consulted with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He has also worked for Danzas Ltd, an international Swiss freight and forwarding company, where he was chief operations manager. This has given him the opportunity to work in various countries, including Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, the UK, and Morocco.
After Rwanda’s liberation in July 1994, when so many positive changes happened, he was convinced there were great opportunities in business for someone with his qualifications and experience, which is why he decided to return and start his own company in 1998: Safari Center.
He started Safari Center with the initial objective of developing business ideas for sale. “This entrepreneurial attitude at the time was very discouraging, and the first person I tried to convince to take up an idea asked why I didn’t do it myself,” he recalls. He recollects further that “such an environment forced me to change, and do things on my own, and that’s how Safari started. The first three years were particularly hard, but determination kept us going.”
Today, Safari employs 70 people on a permanent basis, and over 50 on temporary arrangements. Mr Gasamagera’s philosophy is: “Start small and grow big”.
Education
1984 - 1985: Beijing Institute of Languages (China) – obtained a diploma in Chinese language.
1985 - 1989: University of Tianjin (China) – obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Science.
Mr Gasamagera also studied International Transportation in Switzerland.
Experience
Worked at Printonics China Ltd for five months (1989).
Worked with the National Services in Computer Sciences (ex-Miniplan) from 01 Jan 1990 to 03 Jan 1991.
Worked as a consultant with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) thus from 01 Feb 1991 to 30 Oct 1991.
Danzas S.A.
From November 1991, Benjamin Gasamagera had what he describes as “a wonderful experience” in international forwarding management doing a trainee-formation program for more than two years with Danzas, which was then among the top three leading forwarders in the whole world.
He studied and worked at the same time within the company at its many agencies in Europe:
- Air freight import & export: Appenweier/Germany, Brussels and Geneva (Europe & Overseas).
- Ocean freight import & export: Frankfurt and Geneva.
- European consolidation service: Appenweier/Germany; Geneva and London.
- European full load transport: Appenweier/Germany; Geneva and London.
- Warehousing: Appenweier/Germany.
- Accounting/EDP: Appenweier/Germany and London
- Tariffing: London.
- Customs clearance: Geneva.
After this trainee-formation program, he was offered a permanent job with Danzas in Morocco.
Danzas Morocco S.A.
Head of the Air Freight Department – 21/12/1994 to 01/08/1995
Head of the Ocean Freight Department – 01/08/1995 to 31/07/1997
What have been the main lessons you have learned in your career and how do you implement them in your management?
At Safari Center, we believe that every human being can be successful in doing business if is empowered with the right skills, environment and tools.
