Kigali, Rwanda – September 13, 2021 – Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Hanga Ahazaza initiative has launched their fifth call for applications for eligible businesses to join Tourism Inc.’s incubation program. This interactive program serves as a full-service incubator for start-ups in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Tourism and Hospitality is a priority sector in Rwanda’s development agenda. Yet, the economic effects of managing the spread of COVID-19 have deeply distressed the sector. It is against this backdrop that Tourism Inc. continues to support the future leaders of the industry. It is more important than ever to invest in these youth-led businesses to ensure they have the tools needed to develop their businesses and thrive in a post-COVID world.

For its fifth cohort, 25 young entrepreneurs will be selected to join the Tourism Inc. program; allowing them to receive the right mix of technical skills, financing, and mentorship to grow their businesses over a six-month period. At the end of this period, five of the best performing entrepreneurs will receive seed funding to grow their ventures.

The program will provide the participants with industry best-practices and tools to turn their ideas and early-stage ideas into successful businesses. The participants will benefit from free workspaces and prototype incentives aimed at supporting the launch and growth of their businesses. Other aspects of the program include: