Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF) have set up a franchise association in the country, a move aimed at expanding businesses.The set up of the association was announced on Friday at the climax of a week-long franchise workshop in Kigali.The workshop was held under the theme, Understanding franchising to expand existing business and creating opportunities for SMEs in Rwanda.“This is a formalised marriage between the RDB and PSF that has seen the birth of a franchise association in Rwanda. This is about skill transmission, wealth and job creation,” said Tony Nsanganira, the COO of RDB.He added that the partnership should and will now bear fruits. “You should work together to see to it that it grows. If I knew, I would have come along with the registrar general to register the organisation.” The workshop drew businessmen and women from all corners of the country and beyond specialising in various business sectors.The workshop was held under the AfDB regional franchising project and facilitated by Moyanga, Louw and Associate, a consultancy firm on franchise product.The Franchise Concept was established in 1840`s and grew up seeing it open renown firms like singer sewing machines by the 1850`s.Over the years, franchise has rolled up its programs and seen people transform from poverty to riches. Emmanuel Ndoba, of New Start Consultants (NESCO) and the new chairman of a volunteering committee that will spearhead the Rwanda Franchising Association said “the opportunity that franchise presents are enormous that can expand and achieve economic scales and maintain standards. It is the easy way of job creation.”The reaction from the participants in the one week workshop was very positive.
