Rwanda to name 22 baby gorillas as conservation, tourism continue to grow

Kigali, Rwanda will officially name 22 baby mountain gorillas born within the past year during the 21st Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremony on September 4th, officials revealed on Tuesday, Xinhua reported. The event will take place at the base of Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda's Musanze District, according to Eugene Mutangana, executive secretary of the Rwanda Nature Foundation.

Mutangana emphasized that Kwita Izina has evolved into a crucial conservation and tourism event, illustrating Rwanda's dedication to preserving mountain gorillas while connecting wildlife protection to tourism, community development, and sustainable economic growth. Speaking at a press conference in Kigali, Mutangana stated that the annual ceremony embodies Rwanda's conviction that conservation should yield benefits for both nature and people.

Over the past two decades, Kwita Izina has showcased this belief by providing opportunities for people, supporting communities, boosting tourism, and ensuring that future generations inherit a healthy and thriving natural environment. At this year's ceremony, 22 baby mountain gorillas will be assigned names, marking another significant milestone in the conservation journey.

Since the inaugural Kwita Izina in 2005, a total of 438 mountain gorillas have received names. Rwanda's tourism sector witnessed a record-breaking US$685 million (RM2.8 billion) in revenue in 2025, up from US$647 million in 2024. Visitor arrivals also surged to 1.49 million, representing a nine-percent year-on-year increase, as reported by the Rwanda Development Board.