New innovation hub opens in Kigali

Budding entrepreneurs in Kigali have yet another innovation hub to choose from following the launch of a new business incubator. The new incubator, Impact Hub Kigali, is part of a global Impact Hub network of 76 local innovation labs, business incubators and social enterprise community centres across the world and is set to integrate Kigali’s social enterprise community with the global network of more than 10,000 innovators. Kigali’s hub is the network’s second attempt to establish presence in Africa after Johannesburg, South Africa, with other hubs expected to be established on the continent in coming months. The hub will offer members co-working office spaces, event spaces as well facilitate connections for entrepreneurs in Kigali with other entrepreneurs from across the world. Ara Nashera, one of the Impact Hub Kigali co-founders, told The New Times last week that by establishing the hub in Kigali, they seek to provide a converging point in the country for people interested in creating social change through their enterprises. “Our vision is to help launch companies that will employ tens of thousands of people and turn Rwanda into the most developed and environmentally sustainable country in Africa,” Nashera said. The entrance of the new hub is expected to further create an enabling environment for young business people keen on various sectors in the country. Already, Kigali is home to three other such hubs, K-Lab, Think by Tigo and The Office located in Kiyovu. The three hubs are responsible for nurturing several start-ups in the country, including TorQue, an award-winning start-up offering customised software solutions to small and medium enterprises; Hehe Ltd, which produces mobile applications and solutions and offers training on coding to youth; as well as FOYO Group Ltd. Impact Hub Kigali managing director, Maria Mayanja, said the hub is also likely to boost Rwanda’s entrepreneurial profile as well as grow young people’s enterprises. “I believe that Impact Hub Kigali is going to create an avenue for young Rwandan entrepreneurs to connect with people who are essential in growing their businesses. It is also going to be a place where individuals can come together to create something bigger than what they could have alone, through harnessing the power of entrepreneurship.” Jon Stever, another co-founder of the hub, cited accessibility, collaboration, community value and sustainability among the contributions to the entrepreneurial environment. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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New innovation hub opens in Kigali