After fourteen weeks of intensive training, a group of 27 young entrepreneurs successfully graduated with business certificates from the International Christian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC).

Commonly faced with challenges in maintaining profitable businesses, the entrepreneurs expressed delight at acquiring technical and management skills that would benefit them in the future.

Sandrali Sebakara, one of the graduates in mushroom growing, said that the training gave him an edge over his competitors.

"I have acquired a great advantage after the training; to attract more customers, I know I have to be enterprising, courageous, and able to do anything,” Sebakari said.

On the other hand, Matilde Umurerwa, the owner of a grocery business in Kigali, voiced how her family financially aided her to register for the program due to the frailty of her enterprise.

"Entrepreneurship should not be driven by profit making alone, but rather a desire to cause change in society,” she said, adding that, "people should not stop at having brilliant ideas but also be courageous enough to stand up and implement them.”

During the awarding ceremony organised by Rwanda Dvelopmeent Board (RDB) and Rwanda Buinsess Development Centre (RBDC), the graduates were assured of further support, in terms of financing and networking.

"Rwanda has enthusiastically supported entrepreneurial training programs, and we will continue to support any efforts related to skills development,” John Gara, the CEO of RDB said.

Dale Neill, the International President of ICCC, urged the graduates to pursue excellence be exemplary to other aspiring entrepreneurs.

"I cannot guarantee you success; but what we have done is to open the doors of success for you,” he said.

"We chose Rwanda for this project because there are very many young people willing to seize opportunities to start and grow successful businesses.”

ICCC is a global business training network with chapters in over 100 nations. It was their second cohort in Rwanda.

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