Last week, 24 artesian women and one man graduated in advanced business management through Indego Africa’s Leadership Academy following a six-month training.

The Indego Africa’s leadership, which started operations in 2007, aims at supporting women to become creative and successful in business management.

"I believe these women have acquired the skills needed in their world of business, and we hope that they are going to use them out there to become competitive in international and local markets,” said Rosina Urujeni, the country director of Indego Africa

Among the skills acquired were computer studies, communication skills, financial management, customer care and also how to look for new markets on their own products.

Karen Yelick, the chief executive officer of Indego Africa, said she used the opportunity she had in education to become financially independent, and share it with African women who didn’t get that chance.

"I honour all the graduates and encourage them to utilise well what they have achieved from our training,” she said.

Alex Ruzibukira, the director-general industry and entrepreneurship development at Ministry of Trade and Industry, said small businesses are important because they contribute to 50 per cent of the development of the country.

"Women play a key role when it comes to the country’s development, and in order to make an impact, our role is to empower them with mechanisms that can help them grow in business,” he said.

He noted that there are challenges such as access to market and finances like short term loans with high costs for small co-operatives, adding that they would provide solutions for them.

"We have put in place business improvement funds dedicated to the small co-operatives to enable them access financing. And we believe in the long run it is the right approach,” he said.

The trainees said they have acquired many skills and they are ready to put them in practice out there.

"First, I came here as a trainee, but I am now a trainer to other women. This has opened my mind, I am able to look for markets on my own and I also know how to budget for my money better now,” said Emelienne Nyiramana, one of the trainees.