Some spend a lifetime chasing a legacy; others build one while the industry itself is still taking shape. In just 15 years, Wilson Misago has reshaped Rwanda’s television landscape, laying its foundations, creating its most recognizable series, and positioning local stories on global platforms. His work is not only a record of what has been achieved, but a blueprint for where the industry is headed.

Wilson Misago (born 14 December 1985, Gisagara, Rwanda) is a filmmaker, writer, and producer best known for television dramas such as Inshuti (Friends), Seburikoko, City Maid, Indoto, hurts harder, Kaliza wa Kalisa, Shuwadilu and Ejo si Kera. He is the Founder and CEO of ZACU Entertainment, a production powerhouse that later became part of the Canal+ Group.

Career

Misago began his professional journey in 2009 as a journalist at Inyarwanda.com, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become Marketing Manager and later Managing Director of Inyarwanda Limited. His early years in media sharpened his understanding of audiences, storytelling, and the business side of entertainment.

By 2012, he had expanded into broadcasting as a radio presenter at City Radio, balancing on-air work with an increasing interest in scripted storytelling. That curiosity led to his first television experiment in 2013 with Ubu n’ejo. Although the series struggled to gain traction, it marked a critical learning phase and laid the groundwork for what would follow.

A year later, Misago changed the course of Rwandan television with Inshuti, the country’s first locally produced TV series, aired on TV10. Its success signaled the dawn of a new era for Rwandan scripted content and proved that local stories could command loyal audiences.
Building on that momentum, he created Seburikoko in 2015, a family drama that became one of the most-watched programs on Rwanda Television. That same year, he launched City Maid, an urban drama that quickly became another audience favorite. Over time, his catalog expanded to include Indoto, Ejo si Kera—produced in collaboration with Imbuto Foundation—and more than 800 hours of original scripted programming, a volume unmatched in Rwanda’s television history. These works firmly established Misago as the leading architect of Rwanda’s television drama ecosystem.

In 2017, he directed the short film Little Skater and founded Afrifame Limited, an audiovisual production company. That same year, he unveiled Zacu TV, Rwanda’s first subscription-based Video-on-Demand platform, which was officially launched at the Transform Africa Summit in 2019.
A defining milestone came in mid-2022, when Zacu TV was acquired by Canal+ Group and transformed into Rwanda’s first Kinyarwanda-language fiction channel on an international network (Canal+ Channel 99). For the first time, Rwandan television productions gained sustained global distribution, marking a decisive shift in how local stories traveled beyond national borders.

ZACU entertainment and industry building

Under the leadership of Nelly Wilson Misago, ZACU Entertainment has become a cornerstone of Rwanda’s entertainment industry. The company provides employment to over 300 people each year and continues to shape the careers of countless creatives. Notably, ZACU produced the first Rwandan TV series to be dubbed in French and broadcast on A+, one of the largest francophone television channels for series and drama in Africa.

Over his 15-year career, Misago has mentored and guided many emerging talents. Actors such as Gratien and Clapton, who began their careers working with him, are now successful producers making their own impact on the industry. Beyond individual mentorship, Misago has inspired countless local filmmakers—particularly on YouTube—helping foster a culture of innovation and storytelling across Rwanda.

Today, ZACU Entertainment co-produces between 6 and 10 projects each year, supporting local content creation and providing a platform for new voices. In 2025, the company expanded its growing portfolio with productions such as Ibyashishuwe, Mucoma, and Hurts Harder, with Misago serving as executive producer on each project. These works further cement his role as a driving force in Rwanda’s media landscape.

Recent work and continued influence

In June 2024, Misago broke new ground again by creating Rwanda’s first sitcom, Shuwa Dilu. The comedy brought together some of the country’s best-known comedians—Gratien Niyitegeka (Papa Sava), Ramadhan Benimana (Bamenya), and Eric Nsabimana (Dogiteri Nsabi). Centered on three roommates navigating life in a shared house, the sitcom blended everyday humor with sharp social observation, pushing Rwandan television into previously unexplored genres.
In 2025, ZACU released Hurts Harder, produced by an emerging filmmaker Mizero Yves Wayeem under the company’s mentorship. Premiering on July 7, 2025, exclusively on Zacu TV and Canal+ Channel 3, the series explores the emotional realities of online relationships. Announcing the project on Instagram, Misago described it as a bold story that is “raw, real, and powerfully relevant.”

At the same time, he has continued to revive his classics. In July 2025, Misago announced the return of Seburikoko, the long-running drama that first premiered in 2014 and has since produced over 480 episodes. With its unforgettable humor, witty dialogue, and the antics of Le Patron de Gatoto, the series remains one of Rwanda’s most cherished television productions.

With landmark dramas such as Seburikoko and City Maid, over 800 hours of original programming, Rwanda’s first VOD platform (Zacu TV), and the nation’s first sitcom (Shuwa Dilu), Wilson Misago has redefined what television means in Rwanda.
He did not simply tell stories—he built the platforms, systems, and talent pipelines that allowed them to thrive. From nurturing filmmakers to securing international distribution through Canal+, his work has reshaped the media landscape and inspired a new generation of creators.

As Rwanda’s entertainment industry continues to evolve, Misago remains one of its principal architects—shaping not only what audiences watch, but how an entire industry functions.

Wilson MISAGO’s filmography

Ubu n’ejo (2013) – Producer – TV series

Inshuti (2013) – Writer & Producer – TV series

Seburikoko (2014–2023) – Creator, Co-writer & Producer – TV series

City Maid (2015–Present) – Creator & Producer – TV series

The Secret of Happiness (2017) – Executive Producer – Short film

Baby Shower (2017) – Writer & Director – Short film

Indoto (2019–Present) – Creator & Producer – TV series

Ejo si Kera (2021) – Creator, Co-writer & Producer – TV series

Igeno Ryanjye (2022) – Producer – Feature film

The Bishop’s Family (2022–2023) – Producer – TV series

Ishusho ya Papa (2023–2024) – Creator & Producer – TV series

Kaliza wa Kalisa (2024–Present) – Producer – TV series

The Incubation (2024–Present) – Executive Producer – Feature film

Shuwa Dilu (2024–Present) – Creator & Producer – TV sitcom

Hurts Harder (2025) – Producer – TV series

Mucoma(2025) - executive producer - feature film

Ibyahishuwe (2025) - executive producer - feature film