Press Release - For Immediate Release

Kigali, Rwanda - 30 April 2021

Access to Finance Rwanda, ConsumerCentriX, and Partners Announce Winners of SME Response Clinic Business Awards 

  • Three diverse Rwandan businesses win inaugural SME Response Clinic Business Awards with Rwf 1,000,000 prize 
  • Winners selected from 1,200 nominations across the country 
  • Five runners-up awarded 6-month business skills course 

Access to Finance Rwanda and ConsumerCentriX today announced the winners of the inaugural SME Response Clinic Business Awards following the Twiteze Imbere campaign to recognise the role of small businesses in Rwanda’s road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Through the campaign, the general public nominated their favourite small businesses, giving their nominees the chance to win an SME Response Clinic Business Award. The competition featured three categories: women-owned businesses, start-up or innovative businesses, and established businesses. Rwandans made online nominations via the SME Response Clinic website and over the phone. 

The three winning small businesses and five runners-up were selected from among 30 shortlisted companies after careful and thorough deliberation. Access to Finance Rwanda and ConsumerCentriX are pleased to announce that the winners and runners-up are: 

  • Women-owned business category: 
    1. Winner: Kurema Kureba Kwiga, a public-arts social enterprise located in Kigali 
    2. Runner-up: Kicirwanda, an art and craft store based in Kigali 
  • Startup/Innovative business category: 
    1. Winner: HADI Constructions, a construction consulting firm based in Nyagatare District 
    2. Runners-up: Bhiku Bakery from Rwamagana District and Johnson’s Bakery from Kicukiro District 
  • Established business category: 
    1. Winner: Umucyo Company, a liquid soap manufacturer based in Kirehe District 
    2. Runners-up: Blessed Garden, a female-owned guest house based in Kayonza District, and Crema, a coffee shop located in Musanze District 

The awards come as a result of the SME Response Clinic campaign ‘Twiteze Imbere’ (Let’s Move Forward Together), which celebrated the resilience of small businesses and recognised their contribution to Rwanda’s economic recovery. The SME Response Clinic is a platform developed by Access to Finance Rwanda and ConsumerCentriX in collaboration with the Private Sector Federation, the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda, African Management Institute, New Faces New Voices Rwanda, and Rwanda Bankers’ Association. 

“Congratulations to the winners and runners-up of the SME Response Clinic Business Awards. In just a few weeks, we received 1,200 nominations from across the country. We were pleased to see great diversity among the nominated small businesses, enthusiasm from their customers, and the impact they are having in their communities on our journey of COVID-19 recovery,” said Jean Bosco Iyacu, Country Director, Access to Finance Rwanda. 

“We are grateful to everyone who took part in the Twiteze Imbere campaign, partner institutions as well as media partners who helped us spread the word. It’s rewarding to see the SME Response Clinic reaching small businesses in every corner of this country and we will continue to support them in these difficult times and beyond,” he added. 

“I am honoured and excited to be one of the winners of the SME Response Clinic Business Awards. This award recognises the important role of the creative industry in the economy and the prize money will support my business to grow. Thank you to the SME Response Clinic and its partners for organising this campaign and for looking out for small businesses,” said Judith Kaine, Director of Kurema Kureba Kwiga, one of the winning businesses. 

The winner in each category receives a cash prize of Rwf 1,000,000 to invest in their business as well as expert advisory services. Runners-up will be sponsored to participate in the African Management Institute‘s Survive to Thrive programme where they will learn how to navigate business challenges and network with other entrepreneurs in Rwanda and across Africa. 

About the SME Response Clinic 

In May 2020, Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) partnered with ConsumerCentriX to launch the SME Response Clinic – a platform that supports entrepreneurs in Rwanda struggling in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The SME Response Clinic provides access to training, industry insights, and financial management advice to entrepreneurs in Rwanda struggling to adjust to the economic realities of COVID-19. Access the platform at smeresponse.clinic 

About Access to Finance Rwanda 

AFR began its operations in 2010 with the core objective of stimulating the development of the financial sector in Rwanda. AFR’s intention is to remove the systemic barriers that hinder access to financial services by putting low-income people particularly the rural poor and women at the centre of its interventions. AFR supports the development and provision of financial services including savings, credit, insurance, payments, and remittances. Learn more at afr.rw. 

About ConsumerCentriX 

ConsumerCentriX is a strategy consulting firm that works with financial service providers and policymakers on translating consumer insights into market strategies and policies to reach the un/underserved. Our mission is to develop scalable solutions that are based on deep insights into the lives, needs, and constraints of un/underserved people in emerging markets to improve their livelihoods and create opportunities for economic growth. 

Media Contact 

For any enquiries, write to Nadege Nzeyimana, AFR Communications Consultant, at nadege@afr.rw. 

Access to Finance Rwanda, ConsumerCentriX n’Abafatanyabikorwa Bishimiye 

Gutangaza Abatsindiye Ibihembo bya SME Response Clinic 

  • Ibigo bitatu by’ubucuruzi binyuranye byatsindiye ibihembo bitangwa na SME Response Clinic ku nshuro ya mbere bihwanye na miliyoni y’amafaranga y’u Rwanda 
  • Abatsindiye ibihembo batoranyijwe nyuma y’uko abagera ku 1200 mu gihugu cyose batanze amazina 
  • Icyiciro cy’ibigo bitanu byaje ku mwanya wa kabiri batewe inkunga yo gukurikira amahugurwa y’amezi atandatu azabungura ubuhanga mu by’ubucuruzi nta kiguzi 

Uyu munsi Access to Finance Rwanda na ConsumerCentriX batangaje amazina y’abatsindiye ibihembo bya  SME Response Clinic ku nshuro ya mbere nyuma y’ubukangurambaga bwiswe Twiteze Imbere bwo kuzirikana uruhare rw’ibigo by’ubucuruzi buto mu gufasha u Rwanda kwigobotora ingaruka zatewe n’icyorezo cya COVID-19. 

Muri ubwo bukangurambaga, abantu bose muri rusange batanze amazina y’ibigo by’ubucuruzi buto, babiha amahirwe yo gutsindira igihembo cya SME Response Clinic. Irushanwa ryari rigizwe n’ibyiciro bitatu: ibigo by’ubucuruzi byashinzwe cyangwa biyoborwa n’abagore, icy’ibigo by’ubucuruzi bikiyubaka cyangwa ibifite udushya hamwe n’ibigo byamaze gukomera. Abanyarwanda batoye ibigo baha amahirwe bifashishije urubuga rwa SME Response Clinic na terefoni. 

Ibigo by’ubucuruzi buto bitatu byegukanye imyanya ya mbere muri buri cyiciro, ibyaje ku mwanya wa kabiri, ndetse n’ibigo 30 byashyizwe ku rutonde nyuma y’ijonjora ry’ibanze byose byatoranyijwe hakurikijwe isuzuma ryimbitse. Access to Finance Rwanda na Consumer Centrix binejejwe no gutangaza ko abatsinze n’abaje ku myanya ya kabiri ari: 

  • Icyiciro cy’ibigo by’ubucuruzi biyoborwa n’abagore 
    1. Ku mwanya wa mbere: Kurema Kureba Kwiga, Ikigo gikora ibijyanye n’ubugeni giherereye i Kigali 
    2. Ku mwanya wa kabiri: Kicirwanda, ikigo gifite ububiko bw’ibikoresho by’ubugeni n’ubukorikori buherereye i Kigali 
  • Icyiciro cy’ibigo by’ubucuruzi buto bikiyubaka cyangwa ibifite udushya: 
    1. Ku mwanya wa mbere: HADI Constructions, ikigo cy’ubwubatsi gikorera mu karere ka Nyagatare 
    2. Ku mwanya wa kabiri: Bhiku Bakery, ikigo gikora imigati cyo mu karere ka Rwamagana na Johnson’s Bakery yo mu karere ka Kicukiro, umujyi wa Kigali 
  • Icyiciro cy’ibigo by’ubucuruzi buto bimaze gukomera: 
    1. Ku mwanya wa mbere: Umucyo Company, ikigo gikora isabune zisukika giherereye mu karere ka Kirehe 
    2. Ku mwanya wa kabiri: Blessed Garden, inzu yakira ba mukerarugendo iyobowe n’umugore iherereye mu karere ka Kayonza na Crema, iduka ricuruza ikawa mu mujyi wa Musanze 

Ibi bihembo bije bikurikira ubukangurambaga bwiswe ‘Twiteze Imbere’ bwateguwe na SME Response Clinic bwari bugamije kwishimira uburyo ibigo by’ubucuruzi buto byabashije guhangana n’ibihe bikomeye no kuzirikana uruhare rwabyo mu rugendo rwo kuzahura ubukungu bw’u Rwanda. SME Response Clinic ni ihuriro ryashyizweho na Access to Finance 

Rwanda na ConsumerCentrix ku bufatanye n’Urugaga rw’Abikorera mu Rwanda (PSF), Ishyirahamwe ry’Ibigo by’Imari Iciriritse Bikorera mu Rwanda (AMIR), Ikigo Nyafurika Kigamije Guteza Imbere Imiyoborere (AMI), New Faces New Voices Rwanda, n’Ishyirahamwe ry’Amabanki mu Rwanda. 

Asobanura iby’ibi bihembo n’ubukangurambaga, Jean Bosco Iyacu, Umuyobozi Mukuru wa Access to Finance mu Rwanda, aragira ati: “Twishimiye abatsindiye ibihembo bya SME Response Clinic n’icyiciro cy’ibigo byaje ku mwanya wa kabiri. Mu byumweru bicye ubukangurambaga bwamaze, habashije gutora abantu bagera ku 1200 mu gihugu cyose. Twishimiye kubona hatorwa ibigo by’ubucuruzi buto mu ngeri zinyuranye, ishyaka n’akanyamuneza k’ababigana, ndetse n’uruhare biri kugira mu guteza imbere aho biherereye muri uru rugendo turimo rwo kuzahura ubukungu bw’igihugu bwashegeshwe n’icyorezo cya COVID-19.” 

Yarongeye ati: “Turashimira buri muntu wese wagize uruhare mu bukangurambaga bwiswe Twiteze Imbere, abafatanyabikorwa, ndetse n’ibitangazamakuru dufatanya byadufashije gusakaza amakuru kuri ubwo bukangurambaga. Birashimishije kubona SME Response Clinic ibasha kugera ku bigo by’ubucuruzi buto muri buri gice cyose cy’iki gihugu kandi tuzakomeza kubishyigikira muri ibi bihe bikomeye na nyuma yaho”. 

Judith Kaine, umuyobozi wa Kurema Kureba Kwiga, kimwe mu bigo by’ubucuruzi byatsindiye igihembo yagize ati: “Ni ishema kuri jye kandi nejejwe no kuba umwe mu batsindiye ibihembo bya SME Response Clinic. Iki gihembo ni icyo kuzirikana uruhare rw’ingenzi abahanzi bagira mu rwego rw’ubukungu kandi igihembo cy’amafaranga kizafasha ubucuruzi bwanjye gutera imbere. Ndashimira SME Response Clinic n’abafatanyabikorwa bayo kuba barateguye ubu bukangurambaga no kuba batekereza ku bigo by’ubucuruzi buto.” 

Ikigo cy’ubucuruzi buto cyatsinze muri buri cyiciro kizahabwa igihembo cy’amafaranga y’u Rwanda angana na miliyoni imwe (1,000,000) yakwifashishwa mu bucuruzi bwabo, ndetse na serivisi z’ubujyanama zitangwa n’inzobere mu bijyanye n’ubucuruzi nta kiguzi. Icyiciro cy’ubucuruzi bwatsinze ku mwanya wa kabiri kizahabwa inkunga yo gukurikirana amahugurwa atangwa n’Ikigo Nyafurika Kigamije Guteza Imbere Imiyoborere (AMI), yiswe “Komeza Utere Imbere – Survive to Thrive” aho ba rwiyemezamirimo bazamenya uko bahangana n’ibibazo bahura nabyo mu bucuruzi bakanahahurira n’abandi bacuruzi bo mu Rwanda no muri Afurika. 

Ibyerekeye SME Response Clinic 

Muri Gicurasi 2020, Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) yafatanyije na Consumer Centrix hatangizwa icyiswe SME Response Clinic; ihuriro rifasha ba rwiyemezamirimo bagerageza guhangana n’icyorezo cyugarije isi cya COVID-19. SME Response Clinic igenera ba rwiyemezamirimo bo mu Rwanda bagerageza kumenyera imiterere y’ubucuruzi bwazanywe n’icyorezo cya COVID-19, amahugurwa, ubujyanama ku bigezweho, n’uburyo bw’icungamari. Ku bindi bisobanuro, wasura urubuga smeresponse.clinic 

Ibyerekeye Access to Finance Rwanda 

AFR yatangiye ibikorwa byayo muri 2010 ifite intego nyamukuru yo guteza imbere urwego rw’imari mu Rwanda. AFR igamije gukuraho inzitizi zo muri sosiyete tubamo zibuza abantu kubona serivisi zijyanye n’imari hibandwa ku bantu binjiza macye, cyane cyane abatishoboye n’abagore bo mu cyaro. AFR ishyigikira iterambere n’itangwa rya serivisi z’imari zirimo ubwizigame, gutanga inguzanyo, ubwishingizi, ubwishyu, no guhererekanya amafaranga. Ushobora kubona amakuru kuri AFR unyuze ku rubuga rwa afr.rw 

Ibyerekeye ConsumerCentriX 

ConsumerCentriX ni sosiyete y’inzobere mu bijyanye no gushyiraho ingamba ikorana n’abatanga serivisi z’imari n’abashyiraho za politiki. Iyo sosiyete ihindura ibitekerezo by’abaguzi mo ingamba na politiki zijyanye n’imiterere y’isoko hagamijwe kwegera abantu badakunze kubona izo serivisi. Icyo tugamije ni ugutanga ibisubizo bishobora guhinduka bigendeye ku bitekerezo bihamye bijyanye n’imibereho, ibikenewe, n’imbogamizi z’abantu badakunze kubona serivisi z’imari mu masoko agenda avuka hagamijwe kuzamura imibereho yabo no guhanga imirimo bateza imbere ubukungu. 

Aho wabariza amakuru 

Niba hari ibyo wifuza kubaza, andikira Nadege Nzeyimana, Inzobere mu bijyanye n’Ihererekanyamakuru muri AFR kuri nadege@afr.rw.