Kirehe, Rwanda – In an initiative to support refugees and local communities, 40 entrepreneurs were selected to receive funding worth Rwf44 million, after participating in a business idea pitching event in Kirehe District, Rwanda on March 14. Of the selected business ideas, 30 are refugees, and 10 are members of the host community. The event, organised by YWCA Rwanda as part of the ‘Igniting Innovation’ project funded by Church World Service, aimed to empower individuals from the refugee camp and surrounding areas by providing them with the means to launch and sustain their own businesses. The selected entrepreneurs presented a wide range of business ideas, reflecting the diverse talents and entrepreneurial spirit of the participants. Among them was Rosa Ndiramiye, a refugee from DRCongo, who dreams of turning her passion for fishing into a thriving business. Ndiramiye plans to sell fish from the Akagera River, with hopes of expanding her market to Tanzania and DR Congo. With the support from the programme, she aims to purchase a fridge, rent a space, and hire a team of fishermen to help her grow the business. “I am so grateful for this opportunity,” Ndiramiye said. “Many refugees have ideas, but without the resources, it is impossible to make them a reality.” Sonia Umulisa, also a refugee from DR Congo residing in Mahama Camp, shared a similar sentiment. She has plans to sell cocktail juices, both within the camp and beyond. Her business aims to cater to the growing demand for refreshing beverages, and she hopes to extend her reach to surrounding communities. 23-year-old Naser Ebaid Mohammed, a refugee from Sudan, having previously worked with his uncle in a bakery, hopes to introduce Sudanese-style bread to the local community. His goal is to share his rich cultural heritage while also contributing to the local economy. “I want to offer something unique to my fellow Sudanese, Rwandans, and other refugees. The bread we make is something that reminds us of home, and I believe there’s a market for it,” said Ebaid. Jean Damascene Musoni, a representative from MINEMA (Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management) encouraged those in neighbouring areas to take advantage of similar opportunities. “We are grateful for the projects like this that help refugees and the host communities become self-sufficient. As international donor aid decreases, such initiatives are crucial to ensuring that people can support themselves and their families,” said Musoni. The business pitching event resulted in the selection of 40 projects from 100 pitches, with 30 led by refugees and 10 by members of the host community. Kirehe District plans to create 50,000 jobs in the coming years, and these selected entrepreneurs will help contribute to this goal, potentially generating up to 100 new jobs, according to Desiré Ruregeya, Kirehe District’s Business Development and Entrepreneurship Officer. In addition to the financial support, YWCA Rwanda has committed to offering business coaching to ensure the long-term sustainability of these businesses. Coaches will guide the entrepreneurs through the challenges of scaling up their operations, adding value, and expanding their markets. According to Wycliff Ochieng the Regional Director of PMEAL at CWS Africa, the project supports the Government of Rwanda’s broader initiative to integrate refugees into the local community and reduce dependency on international aid. “This programme is designed with the refugees’ input in mind,” he explained. “Rather than dictating what businesses should be created, we allowed the refugees to identify the markets and areas where they see the most potential. This approach ensures a higher chance of success because they have already assessed the local demand.” The entrepreneurs selected for this initiative have already demonstrated a high level of motivation, with many having started small-scale businesses but lacked the capital to grow. With this new funding, they can expand their operations and ultimately create more job opportunities for others in their communities. Many of the selected entrepreneurs have undergone vocational training but struggled to apply their skills due to a lack of job opportunities. Now, with the financial backing and business support, these entrepreneurs are poised to not only improve their own livelihoods but also contribute to the local economy.
