The application, dubbed ‘Thrive App’, was officially launched on October 17, 2026, at SOHO Fitness's Kimihurura branch in Kigali. It offers practical exercises, guidance, and challenges to help users build healthier habits, with rewards for those who complete selected activities.

The initiative comes as mental health remains a public health concern in Rwanda. In January 2026, the Ministry of Health reported that 9.1% of Rwandans experienced depression-related mental health problems in 2025.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also be challenging for people who struggle to exercise consistently, make nutritious food choices, or manage their finances.

Thrive seeks to address these challenges through activities that encourage users to adopt healthier routines and monitor their progress.

Participants at the launch said they were particularly impressed by the application's mental health exercises, which were among the first features they explored. They also welcomed its nutritional guidance, noting that the recommended foods are readily available in Rwanda.

Tsatsi Rugege, who had used the application for two days, said its locally relevant nutritional advice and mental health exercises stood out.

“Many applications provide nutritional advice, but you often find that they recommend foods that are not readily available here in Rwanda. This one, however, includes foods that you can easily find here. It also has exercises related to mental health, which I have now started practising and have found enjoyable,” she said.

The application includes exercises that encourage users to reflect on their emotional state, identify how they respond to stress and explore ways to manage it. Based on their responses, it provides guidance on steps they can take to address the challenges they face.

Rugege said the exercises helped her understand how to put into practice her desire to maintain a positive mindset.

“I have always known that I want to have the right mindset and remain happy, but I did not really know how to achieve that in practice. That is where I came to appreciate this app,” she remarked.

Beyond mental health and nutrition, the application encourages physical activity through challenges that users can complete individually or alongside others.

As part of launch activities, participants took on a challenge to walk 10,000 steps daily for one week. The application tracks their progress, with those who complete the challenge eligible for rewards, including fuel-related products, gym sessions, and other prizes.

The official launch also featured physical exercise activities, with prizes awarded to participants who completed them successfully. Two additional soft-launch events are scheduled to take place over the remaining months of the year.

Old Mutual Insurance Rwanda Managing Director Chantal Habiyakare said the partnership with SOHO Fitness was part of the company’s efforts to promote well-being among its clients and the wider public.

“SOHO Fitness is one of our partners in Thrive. Having worked together for some time in other areas, we built on that relationship to bring the app to our community more efficiently. We will continue promoting it so that more people beyond our clients can benefit,” the MD said.

Thrive is available free of charge and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.