AMI Virtual Speed Networking Event
Every month, we provide a supportive space for a community of ambitious entrepreneurs from across Africa, to network in this structured speed networking session.
This virtual networking event includes:
- Talk & Q&A with renowned entrepreneur Ciiru Waweru Waithaka who has received recognition from heads of state during the UK-Investment summit in 2020; Michelle Obama and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program for her work in sustainable manufacturing.
- 45mins of facilitated speed networking to connect and interact with other entrepreneurs from across the continent
- Access to a FREE practical tool to help you understand and connect with your customers
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and network with entrepreneurs from across the continent next week Wednesday 30th September 2020 at 8 p.m. EAT / 7 p.m. South and Central / 6 p.m. West Africa / 5 p.m. GMT.
Limited slots are available.
Relief Measures Available for Women Entrepreneurs During and Post COVID-19
Relief Measures Available for Women Entrepreneurs During and Post COVID-19
New Faces New Voices Rwanda in collaboration with the SME Response Clinic will be hosting a live discussion focused on existing government relief measures that can help support women entrepreneurs during and post COVID-19. The discussion will be hosted on the SME Response Clinic’s Facebook page at 3:00 pm on July 16 and will be held primarily in Kinyarwanda.
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a significant role in the Rwandan economy and contribute to sustain livelihoods for many. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda’s Establishment Census 2017, the sector, including private sector and cooperatives, represents 99% of businesses and over 70% of in-establishment employment. Women entrepreneurs are a vital force in Rwanda’s economy. Statistics from the National Gender Policy in Rwanda indicate that women head 42 percent of enterprises and comprise 58 percent of enterprises in the informal sector, which accounts for 30 percent of GDP. National surveys indicate that women entrepreneurs also have a tremendous impact on job creation in Rwanda, with many hiring between 3 and 5 employees to work in their businesses.
In addition to contributing to the development of their local communities through offering employment opportunities, women entrepreneurs contribute substantially to the development of their families through health and nutrition, ensuring funds are available for school fees and higher education for their children, and making improvements to their homes with profits from their businesses. Their contributions, however, are not without challenges. Women entrepreneurs in Rwanda face difficulties in access to three important factors: information, business skills training and development, and finance. They grapple with issues such as high taxes and transportation costs as well as discrimination in property ownership.
As in many markets across the globe, women entrepreneurs in Rwanda have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and measures to contain the spread of the virus have deepened some of the existing challenges they face. In the face of drops in demand or disruptions in the supply chains, a number of jobs have been lost or are at the brink while loans, taxes and rent are going unpaid. To respond to the challenge, the Government of Rwanda introduced the Economic Recovery Fund (ERF) as a mechanism to mitigate the threats that the pandemic is putting on the sector. Due to known barriers women in business face, there is a legitimate concern that without a deliberate effort women-owned/led MSMEs are likely to remain ill-informed and their uptake of ERF less than optimal.
To provide information about ERF and other private and public sector measures available to support women entrepreneurs in these uncertain times, New Faces New Voices Rwanda in collaboration with the SME Response Clinic will be hosting a live discussion focused on how government measures to address the economic effects of COVID-19 can support women entrepreneurs. The discussion will be hosted on the SME Response Clinic’s Facebook page at 3:00 pm on July 16. To increase accessibility for women entrepreneurs, the event will be held primarily in Kinyarwanda.
Panelists include:
Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Governor, National Bank of Rwanda
Jeanne Françoise Mubiligi, Chairperson, Rwanda Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs
Claude Kabutware, Project Coordinator, Pro- Femmes Twese Hamwe
Hannington Namara, Managing Director, Equity Bank Rwanda
The panel will be moderated by Ida Ingabire, Secretariat at New Faces, New Voices Rwanda and Ruziga Emmanuel Masantura, Business Jounalist, Rwanda Broadcasting Agency
This discussion will be the first of a two-part conversation with key stakeholders in the Rwandan economy. The second webinar, scheduled for July 30, will focus on how financial services providers are addressing the specific needs of women entrepreneurs in the face of COVID-19.
Ingamba zo kuzahura ubucuruzi zafashwe kuri ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore mu gihe cy’icyorezo cya COVID-19 na nyuma yacyo.
New Faces New Voices Rwanda ku bufatanye na SME Response Clinic, izacisha ikiganiro kirimo kuba ako kanya ku ipaji yayo ya Facebook ku kuntu ingamba za Leta n’iz’Urwego rw’abikorera zo guhangana n’ingaruka za COVID-19 zafasha ba Rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore. Icyo kiganiro kizacishwa ku ipaji ya Facebook ya SME Response Clinic saa 15:00 kuwa 16 Nyakanga, na ururimi ruzakoreshwa cyane mu nama ni Ikinyarwanda.
Ibigo by’ubucuruzi bito n’ibiciriritse bigira uruhare rukomeye mu bukungu bw’u Rwanda, kandi bikanatunga abantu benshi. Hashingiwe ku ibarura ryakozwe mu 2017 n’Ikigo cy’Igihugu cy’Ibarurishamibare ku bikorwa by’ubucuruzi n’imirimo mu Rwanda, uru rwego, harimo n’abikorera ku giti cyabo n’amakoperative, byihariye 99% by’ibikorwa by’ubucuruzi na hejuru ya 70% by’imirimo yose. Ba Rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore bafatiye runini ubukungu bw’u Rwanda. Imibare yatanzwe na Politiki y’Uburinganire mu Rwanda igaragaza ko abagore bayobora 42 ku ijana by’ibigo by’ubucuruzi, kandi bakaba bihariye 58 ku ijana by’ibigo by’ubucuruzi bibarizwa mu bucuruzi butanditse, bigira uruhare rwa 30 ku ijana mu Musaruro mbumbe w’Igihugu. Ubushakashatsi butandukanye bukorwa mu Gihugu bugaragaza kandi ko ba Rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore bagira uruhare rukomeye mu guhanga imirimo mu Rwanda, aho abenshi baha akazi hagati y’abakozi batatu na batanu mu bikorwa by’ubucuruzi byabo.
Uretse uruhare bagira mu guteza imbere aho batuye binyuze mu gutanga akazi, ba Rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore banagira uruhare runini mu iterambere ry’imiryango yabo mu buzima ndetse n’imirire, aho batanga amafaranga y’ishuri, bakarihira abana babo mu mashuri makuru, kandi bagateza imbere ingo zabo babikesheje ubucuruzi bwabo. Ariko nubwo batanga uwo musanzu, ntihabura n’imbogamizi. Ba Rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore mu Rwanda bahura n’ibibazo mu kugera ku bintu bitatu by’ingenzi bikurikira : amakuru, amahugurwa ku bumenyi bwo gukora no guteza imbere ibikorwa by’ubucuruzi, no kubona imari. Babangamirwa n’ibibazo bitandukanye nk’imisoro ihanitse, ikiguzi cyo gutwara ibicuruzwa, ndetse no gukorerwa ivangura rishingiye ku mutungo.
Nk’uko bimeze no mu yandi masoko atandukanye ku Isi, ba Rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore mu Rwanda bagizweho ingaruka n’icyorezo cya COVID-19, kandi ingamba zo guhagarika ikwirakwira ry’iyo virusi zatumye imbogamizi bahura nazo zirushaho kugira ubukana. Bitewe n’uko abaguzi bagabanutse no kuba gukwirakwiza ibicuruzwa bidakorwa neza, abantu benshi babuze akazi cyangwa barenda kukabura, mu gihe inguzanyo, imisoro n’ubukode bitishyurwa. Mu rwego rwo guhangana n’iki kibazo, Guverinoma y’u Rwanda yatangije Ikigega cyo Kuzahura Ubukungu nk’uburyo bwo kugabanya ingaruka icyorezo cya COVID-19 kiri kugira kuri uru rwego. Hashingiwe ku mbogamizi zizwi abagore bari mu bikorwa by’ubucuruzi bahura nazo, hari impungenge ko hadashyizweho ingamba zifatika, Ibigo by’ubucuruzi Bito n’Ibicirirtse bifitwe cyangwa biyobowe n’abagore bishobora kutamenya amakuru, bityo bigatuma batitabira Ikigega cyo Kuzahura Ubukungu uko bikwiye.
Mu rwego rwo gutanga amakuru ku Kigega cyo Kuzahura Ubukungu no ku zindi ngamba zihari za Leta n’iz’Urwego rw’abikorera zo gushyigikira ba Rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore muri ibi bihe bigoye, New Faces New Voices Rwanda, ku bufatanye na SME Response Clinic izacisha ikiganiro kirimo kuba ako kanya ku ipaji yayo ya Facebook ku buryo ingamba za Leta zo guhangana n’ingaruka za COVID-19 zafasha ba Rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore. Icyo kiganiro kizanyura ku ipaji ya Facebook ya SME Response Clinic saa 15:00 kuwa 16 Nyakanga. Mu rwego rwo kugira ngo ba Rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore benshi babashe kugikurikirana, muri icyo gikorwa hazakoreshwa Ikinyarwanda cyane.
Abazatanga ibiganiro barimo:
Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa; Umuyobozi Wungirije wa Banki Nkuru y’ u Rwanda,
Jeanne Françoise Mubiligi; Umuyobozi w’Ishami ry’Abagore mu Rugaga rw’Abikorera,
Claude Kabutware; Uhagarariye Imishinga muri Pro- Femmes Twese Hamwe, na Hannington Namara, Umuyobozi Mukuru wa Equity Bank, Rwanda.
Ibiganiro bizayoborwa na Ida Ingabire, Umunyamabanga wa New Faces, New Voices Rwanda na Ruziga Emmanuel Masantura, Umuyamakuru mu Bukungu Rwanda Broadcasting Agency.
Iki kiganiro kizaba ari igice cya mbere cy’ibiganiro bibiri bizakorwa n’abafatanyabikorwa b’ingenzi mu bukungu bw’u Rwanda. Inama ya kabiri iteganyijwe kuwa 30 Nyakanga, kikaba kizibanda ku buryo abatanga serivisi z’imari bari gufasha by’umwihariko mu gukemura ibibazo ba Rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore bahura nabyo kubera COVID-19.
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Supporting Your Business Series: A Discussion with the Microfinance Sector
Supporting Your Business Series
A Discussion with the Microfinance Sector
Join us on Facebook on June 18th for a live discussion with key stakeholders from the microfinance sector!
From 3:00 pm -4:15 pm on Thursday, June 18th, join the SME Response Clinic on Facebook for a live webinar with key stakeholders from the Rwandan microfinance sector hosted by Access to Finance Rwanda and the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR).
You can join simply by opening up the SME Response Clinic page on Facebook at 3pm on June 18th. It will be your chance to learn more about the microfinance sector’s response to support SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The SME Response Clinic’s goal is to provide more information to SMEs in Rwanda during the pandemic. The Clinic’s partners know that many small businesses are struggling with lack of cash flow, repayment of loans, and an uncertain future right now.
An important part of the response is already coming from the microfinance sector and other institutions. There are products and services in place that are meant to aid with issues of working capital, reduced revenue and liquidity. The key to managing a business and surviving the pandemic will be to stay informed, stay safe, and know what is available to you as a business person – especially if you operate in a hard-hit industry like tourism, hospitality or transport.
During the webinar, you will learn about products and services available from the microfinance sector. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with:
- Jules Théoneste Ndahayo, Chief Executive Officer, UFC PLC and Chairman of the AMIR Board of Directors
- Laurence Uwambaje, Director General, UMWALIMU SACCO
- Grace Dushimimana, Chief Executive Officer, VisionFund Rwanda
- Aimable Nkuranga, Executive Director, Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda
This webinar will be held primarily in English and will be moderated by Frank Baguma, Programs Officer, MFIs & SACCOs Development at Access to Finance Rwanda.
Please join us for this important event!
Business Survival Bootcamp for Businesses in Rwanda
SCHEDULE
2nd June 2020 at 1400hrs (Kigali) / Kinyarwanda | Open
5th June 2020 at 1400hrs (Kigali) / English | Open
THE BOOTCAMP INCLUDES
A 90-minute interactive webinar led by AMI’s expert facilitators
Online access for two weeks to two practical tools to help implement what you learn in the webinar
The opportunity to connect with other African entrepreneurs, who are also trying to navigate the challenges of COVID-19
“This initiative that has helped us through business counseling and support during this pandemic, COVID-19. We need it because it is not easy to work in this period. I am hopeful that we shall overcome. ”
Marume O.M., the Managing Director of Gout Africaine Ltd / Africano Restaurant in Huye.
With the aim of equipping businesses with practical tools to face challenges brought by COVID-19, African Management Institute (AMI) is conducting a FREE COVID -19 Business Survival Bootcamp. This short learning programme focuses on financial forecasting and cost management in an economic slowdown.
The bootcamp is designed specifically for business owners and entrepreneurs. Attendance is restricted at these sessions to keep them highly interactive, so please only sign up if you’re an entrepreneur (AMI will be organizing separate webinars for managers and leaders). Please share with other entrepreneurs and business owners in your network.
Have questions? Please email smeresponseclinic@gmail.com
Supporting Your Business Series: A Discussion with the Banking Sector
Supporting Your Business Series:
A Discussion with the Banking Sector
Join us on Facebook on May 28th for a live discussion with bankers!
From 3-4pm on Thursday, May 28th, join the SME Response Clinic on Facebook for a live webinar with Rwandan bankers hosted by Access to Finance Rwanda and the Rwanda Bankers Association.
You can join simply by opening up the SME Response Clinic page on Facebook at 3pm on May 28th. It will be your chance to learn more about what banks are doing to help SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The SME Response Clinic’s goal is to provide more information to SMEs in Rwanda during the pandemic. The Clinic’s partners know that many small businesses are struggling with lack of cash flow, repayment of loans, and an uncertain future right now.
An important part of the response is already coming from banks and other institutions. There are products and services in place that are meant to aid with issues of working capital, reduced revenue and liquidity. The key to managing a business and surviving the pandemic will be to stay informed, stay safe, and know what is available to you as a business person – especially if you operate in a hard-hit industry like tourism, hospitality or transport.
During the webinar, you will learn about products and services like loan repayment holidays, loan moratoriums, lines of credit and overdraft facilities directly from Rwandan bankers. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with:
- Maurice K. Toroitich, Managing Director of BPR Atlas Mara
- Robin C. Bairstow, CEO of I&M Bank and Chairman of Rwanda Bankers Association
- Christine Baingana, CEO of Urwego Bank
This webinar will be held primarily in English and will be moderated by Tony Francis Ntore, Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Bankers Association, and Jean Bosco Iyacu, Director of Programs at Access to Finance Rwanda.
Please join us for this important event!
Tubararakiye gukurikirana ikiganiro n’abanyamabanki ku rubuga rwacu rwa facebook ku wa 28 Gicurasi!
Guhera saa cyenda kugeza saa kumi ku wa Kane, tariki ya 28 Gicurasi, tubararikiye gukurikira SME Response Clinic kuri facebook mu mahugurwa muzakurikira kuri Facebook imbonankubone hakoreshejwe ikoranabuhanga muzagezwaho n’abanyamabanki b’abanyarwanda n’Ishyirahamwe ry’abanyamabanki bo mu Rwanda.
Kugira ngo mubashe gukurikirana ayo mahugurwa, mufungura paji yacu ya SME Response Clinic kuri Facebook saa cyenda (ku wa 28 Gicurasi). Ni yo mahirwe muzaba mubonye yo kumenya byinshi byerekeye ibyo amabanki akora mu gufasha Ibigo Bito n’Ibiciriritse muri iki gihe cy’icyorezo cya COVID-19.
Ihuriro ryiga ku bibazo by’Ibigo bito n’Ibiciriritse rigamije gutanga amakuru ahagije ku bigo bito n’ibiciriritse mu Rwanda mu gihe cy’Icyorezo cya COVID-19. Abafatanyabikorwa b’Ihuriro bazi neza ko ibyinshi mu bigo bito bihanganye n’ibibazo byo kubura amafaranga byinjiza n’ayo bisohora, kwishyura inguzanyo n’ibihe biri imbere muri iki gihe bigoye kumenya uko ibintu bizaba byifashe.
Amabanki n’ibindi bigo byatangiye kugaragaza uruhare rw’ingenzi mu kubonera ibisubizo ibibazo byagaragaye kubera ibi bihe turimo. Hari bimwe mu bikorwa na serivisi byashyizweho bigamije gufasha mu gukemura ibibazo byo kubura amafaranga yo gukoresha, igabanuka ry’amafaranga ibigo byinjiza n’amafaranga abitse. Ibanga ry’imicungire y’igikorwa cy’ubucuruzi no kubasha guhangana n’iki cyorezo ku buryo ibigo bito n’ibiciriritse bibasha kwivana muri ibi bibazo ni ukuba bifite amakuru agezweho, kugira umutekano uhoraho mu byo bikora no kugira amakuru kuri serivisi zemerewe zibifasha kuzahura ibikorwa byabyo nka bimwe mu bigo bikora ubucuruzi cyane cyane iyo bitanga serivisi zo mu rwego rwazahajwe cyane n’ibi bihe nk’ubukerarugendo, amahoteri cyangwa gutwara abantu n’ibintu.
Muri ayo mahugurwa azakurikiranwa hifashishijwe ikoranabuhanga, muzahugurwa kuri bimwe mu bicuruzwa na serivisi birimo koroherezwa kwishyura inguzanyo, kongererwa igihe cyo kwishyura inguzanyo hagabanywa inyungu z’ubukererwe, guhabwa indi nguzanyo no guhabwa mu buryo butaziguye inguzanyo n’abanyamabanki bo mu Rwanda. Abazitabira muzaba mufite amahirwe yo kubaza ibibazo no kuganira n’abanyamabanki bakurikira:
- Christine Baingana, Umuyobozi Mukuru (CEO) wa Urwego Bank
- Maurice K. Toroitich, Umuyobozi Mukuru wa BPR Atlas Mara
- Robin C. Barstow, Umuyobozi Mukuru wa (CEO) I&M Bank Rwanda
Aya mahugurwa azakurikiranwa hifashishijwe ikoranabuhanga azategurwa ahanini mu rurimi rw’Icyongereza kandi ayoborwe na Tony Francis Ntore, Umunyamabanga Nshingwabikorwa w’Ishyirahamwe ry’Abanyamabanki mu Rwanda na Jean Bosco Iyacu, Umuyobozi w’Imishinga (Director of Programs) muri Access to Finance Rwanda.
Tubararikiye gukurikirana iki kiganiro cy’ingirakamaro!
Supporting Your Business Series: A Discussion with the Banking Sector
Supporting Your Business Series:
A Discussion with the Banking Sector
Join us on Facebook on May 28th for a live discussion with bankers!
From 3-4pm on Thursday, May 28th, join the SME Response Clinic on Facebook for a live webinar with Rwandan bankers hosted by Access to Finance Rwanda and the Rwanda Bankers Association.
You can join simply by opening up the SME Response Clinic page on Facebook at 3pm on May 28th. It will be your chance to learn more about what banks are doing to help SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The SME Response Clinic’s goal is to provide more information to SMEs in Rwanda during the pandemic. The Clinic’s partners know that many small businesses are struggling with lack of cash flow, repayment of loans, and an uncertain future right now.
An important part of the response is already coming from banks and other institutions. There are products and services in place that are meant to aid with issues of working capital, reduced revenue and liquidity. The key to managing a business and surviving the pandemic will be to stay informed, stay safe, and know what is available to you as a business person – especially if you operate in a hard-hit industry like tourism, hospitality or transport.
During the webinar, you will learn about products and services like loan repayment holidays, loan moratoriums, lines of credit and overdraft facilities directly from Rwandan bankers. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with:
- Maurice K. Toroitich, Managing Director of BPR Atlas Mara
- Robin C. Bairstow, CEO of I&M Bank and Chairman of Rwanda Bankers Association
- Christine Baingana, CEO of Urwego Bank
This webinar will be held primarily in English and will be moderated by Tony Francis Ntore, Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Bankers Association, and Jean Bosco Iyacu, Director of Programs at Access to Finance Rwanda.
Please join us for this important event!