KIGALI - In a bid to increase access to business information among entrepreneurs, Abeo Foundation, in partnership with the Belgian Technical Cooperation and the International Organisation of the Francophonie, yesterday, launched a web-portal.

Abeo Foundation is an international organisation that advocates for the rights of entrepreneurs across the world by enabling them easily get access to business information.

During the function which took place at the Belgian Embassy in Kigali, Eric Gakuba, the coordinator of Abeo activities in Rwanda, said that the portal aims at offering technical assistance to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

"The main objective of this web portal is to provide SMEs across the country with the necessary information on how they can best improve their business activities,” Gakuba said.

He noted that the foundation will work closely with RDB, through business development centres in all districts, to enable beneficiaries easily access business information through the use of the internet.

Gakuba revealed that they have also developed a web application where entrepreneurs can access information concerning business activities through mobile phones.

He added that Abeo will next month carry out a national sensitisation campaign aimed at encouraging Rwandans to visit the web portal, adding that the project has been launched in 12 other countries in Africa.

Michael Wimmer, the First Secretary at the Belgian Embassy, said the portal would be a useful tool for entrepreneurs and SMEs in Rwanda, adding that it may be an important engine of growth and poverty reduction.

Penelope Umurerwa, a businesswoman dealing in potatoes at Kigali’s Nyabugogo market, said that the facility would enable traders to be more informed about business activities in the country, which she said, will help them to maximise their profits in future.

She requested more organisations to come up with similar initiatives in order to boost the private sector, especially entrepreneurs in the rural areas.

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