Shema, 32, Founder of Wildlife Conservation Travel (WTC), is among the 25 selected entrepreneurs participating in the 7th Edition of the BK Urumuri Initiative.

The initiated in 2017 BK Urumuri is a program by BK Foundation in collaboration with Inkomoko Entrepreneur Development, aims to provide business management skills and interest-free loans to Rwandan-led businesses, thereby promoting the country's economy and supporting local entrepreneurs in creating jobs.

ALSO READ: BK Foundation in collaboration with Inkomoko launch the 7th Edition of BK Urumuri Initiative

WCT, based in the districts of Musanze and Ngororero, is a tourism-based organization that doubles as an environmental conservation initiative. Since its inception in 2020, WCT has planted an impressive 12,000 trees, contributing to the rehabilitation of the deteriorating Mukunga River.

"Before we started our operations, the Mukunga River was deteriorating, but it has improved since we started planting trees all around, through our policy of ‘one tourist- one tree," Shema explained.

Moreover, WCT's nursery consists of a wide range of plant seedlings, sold at an affordable price, "so that everyone can learn the value of tree planting," he added.

ALSO READ: 25 eco-friendly businesses selected for 7th edition of BK Urumuri initiative

Shema&039;s commitment to environmental conservation led him to participate in the 7th Edition of the BK Urumuri Initiative.

"I joined BK Urumuri because I heard that they were looking for entrepreneurs, who specifically work in the domain of conservation. I also wanted to learn from it because it wasn't the first time BK Urumuri was happening," he said in an interview with The NewTimes.

For the 7th edition of BK Urumuri, businesses were selected based on their dedication to addressing environmental and climate change issues.

Eligible candidates were required to be Rwanda-based, with annual revenues under Rwf 500 million, registered for at least one year, show financial profitability or a plan to achieve profitability within the next year, and exhibit a track record of environmental and social sustainability.

Selected entrepreneurs took on a six-month mentorship program, where they were provided with training, assessments, consultations, and investment readiness, all aimed at equipping them with the skills and resources needed to enhance their businesses and make a substantial environmental impact.

At the end of the program, the participants have the opportunity to receive an interest-free loan from the Bank of Kigali; 25,000,000 RWF, allocated to provide the finalists with means to scale up their businesses, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the overall environmental and social sustainability goals.

With the BK Urumuri Initiative's support, Shema hopes to expand WCT's capacity to produce tree seedlings. "Our current capacity is at 42,000, but our goal is to reach at least 120,000 tree seedlings," he said.

Additionally, he plans to conduct research, to learn about traditional trees that have gone extinct, as well as explore ways to restore them.

Shema also said that the grant would help him improve his business' marketing strategy to expand its reach.