Are you an early-stage social enterprise interested in scaling? Apply for the BfE Incubation Programme before 1 October 2023
Are you an early-stage social enterprise interested in scaling? Apply for the BfE Incubation Programme before 1 October 2023
Bridges for Enterprise, a non-profit organization that provides pro bono advisory services to social innovators in the developing world, invites applicants for the BfE Incubation Programme. The programme lasts for 6 to 8 months, with multiple implementation stages customized to best support participants to scale their social enterprises. Applications are due 1 October 2023.
Through the programme, participants will be offered consulting and financial advisory services as well as optional legal and technical advisory services. Consulting, financial and legal advisory services will each have a 3 to 4 month timeline, while the technical advisory services will have a timeframe of 3 to 6 months.
The programme will accept social enterprises that demonstrate the following:
- A unique minimum viable product (MVP) that addresses one or more key development challenges
- Revenue-generating business model
- Generates positive environmental or social impact in the communities served
- Leadership team that demonstrates commitment
Additionally, the programme is suitable for social enterprises which fulfil the following:
- Be a for-profit or non-profit social enterprise
- Be an early-stage start-up at the pre-seed or seed stage
- Have an existing product or service and have started earning revenue
- Be legally established in Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Middle East
- Demonstrate a clear path to financial returns and impact
To apply for this programme, visit: Submit Application
Do you have a health tech solution to improve the lives of children? Apply for the UNICEF Innovation Fund before 20 October 2023
Do you have a health tech solution to improve the lives of children? Apply for the UNICEF Innovation Fund before 20 October 2023
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched a new funding opportunity for health tech startups that use cutting-edge technologies to improve the lives of children. The UNICEF Innovation Fund is offering up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding to early-stage startups that are registered in one of UNICEF’s program countries.
The Fund is particularly interested in startups that are using artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data science, blockchain, and extended reality (XR) to address challenges in child health, nutrition, and mental health. Specific areas of interest include:
- Developing new diagnostic tools and treatments for childhood diseases
- Improving access to healthcare in remote and underserved communities
- Using technology to prevent child abuse and neglect
- Promoting mental health and well-being among children
Startups eligible for funding must have a working prototype and a commitment to open-source licensing. Female and youth-led/founded startups are encouraged to apply.
Successful participants will receive the following benefits:
- Up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding
- Access to UNICEF’s network of experts and partners
- Support for developing and scaling your solution
- Increased visibility for your startup
To apply for the Fund, visit Application
Are you an export-oriented business in need of funding? Apply for the EGF Ambuka Competition before 17 September 2023

Are you an export-oriented business in need of funding? Apply for the EGF Ambuka Competition before 17 September 2023
The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) invites participants to apply for funding from the Export Growth Fund (EGF) through its Ambuka Competition. The Fund was established with the aim of supporting and stimulating the growth of export-oriented businesses in Rwanda by providing much-needed affordable financing and technical assistance.
The EGF offers a number of benefits to eligible businesses, including:
- Flexible financing terms that are tailored to the needs of each business with terms of up to 10 years and interest rates of up to 9%.
- Collateral-free financing, making it easier for businesses to access financing even if they do not have assets to pledge.
- Technical assistance to help businesses improve their export performance. This includes things like training on market research, product development, and export documentation.
Interested participants must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Be a Rwandan or registered Rwandan company/Enterprise operating in Rwanda.
- Having already made exports or intending to make exports
- Having a comprehensive business plan reflecting the targeted increase in exports, projections of expected production, exports return, expected developmental impacts and profits for the project and/or the company
- Having financial statements of the last 3 years for existing companies. 1- and 2-year financial statements are applicable to companies with 1 and 2 years of existence
- Having bank statements for 1 year
- Having defined financing needs in investment, working capital or matching grant
- Commit to comply with environmental regulations
To apply, visit: Ambuka Competition Applications
Do you have an innovative idea that addresses a social challenge? Apply for funding and business development support from the Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge before 20 August 2023
Do you have an innovative idea that addresses a social challenge? Apply for funding and business development support from the Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge before 20 August 2023
The Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge, a global competition that aims to empower young social innovators, invites applications for its 2023 edition. The Challenge is designed to provide young social innovators with the resources and support they need to develop and implement their ideas.
Participants will have access to a world-leading Digital Incubator program, which includes e-learning, live events, peer support, and the opportunity to access expert mentors from the world’s leading companies. The Challenge also offers a cash prize of up to $10,000 for the best ideas.
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges who will be looking for ideas that are innovative, scalable, and have the potential to make a real impact on the world. Interested participants must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply:
- Be aged 18-30 years old
- Be from anywhere in the world
- Have an idea for a social innovation project
- Be able to commit to the entire duration of the Challenge (August 2023 – February 2024)
To apply, visit: Application
Do you know a women-led business making a significant contribution to Africa’s economic and social development? Nominate them for Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum Awards before 17 July 2023
Do you know a women-led business making a significant contribution to Africa’s economic and social development? Nominate them for Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum Awards before 17 July 2023
The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF), an annual event celebrating the achievements of women entrepreneurs and business leaders across Africa, invites nominations for the AWIEF Awards 2023. Happening from 9 – 10 November 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda, the Awards aim to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs and business leaders who are making a significant contribution to Africa’s economic and social development.
The Awards consist of eight categories, which include:
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Young Entrepreneur Award
- Social Enterprise Award
- Technology Innovation Award
- Fashion and Design Award
- Agriculture and Agribusiness Award
- Tourism and Hospitality Award
- Finance and Investments Award
Interested participants should nominate a business that fulfils the following criteria:
- Be a woman entrepreneur or business leader
- Be based in Africa
- Have a track record of success in their business
- Have made a significant contribution to the economic and social development of Africa
Selected businesses from the nominations will receive the following benefits:
- Increased visibility and recognition
- Increased access to funding and resources
- Increased opportunities for networking and collaboration
- Increased credibility and influence
- Inspiration and motivation for other women entrepreneurs
To nominate a business, visit: AWIEF 2023 Applications
Funding opportunity for an early-stage start-up: Apply for the ARM Labs Lagos Accelerator program before 9 August 2023
Funding opportunity for an early-stage start-up: Apply for the ARM Labs Lagos Accelerator program before 9 August 2023
Techstars, a global investment company, invites applicants for the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator program. The three-month, in-person program provides early-stage startups in Africa access to capital, mentorship, and connections. The program is focused on FinTech, Mobility, E-commerce, and TalentTech startups.
Successful applicants to the program will receive the following benefits:
- Access to capital: The program provides startups with $100,000 in seed funding. This funding can be used to grow the business, hire new employees, or develop new products or services.
- Access to mentorship: The program provides startups access to a global network of mentors. These mentors can provide advice and guidance on various topics, including business strategy, marketing, and fundraising.
- Programming and workshops: The program provides startups with programming and workshops on a variety of topics. This programming can help startups to improve their business operations, develop new products or services, and grow their businesses.
- Investor introductions: The program provides startups with introductions to investors. These investors may be interested in investing in the startup’s business.
Interested participants should meet the following criteria to apply:
- Be based in Africa
- Be in the early stages of development
- Have a team of at least two founders
- Be focused on FinTech, Mobility, E-commerce, or TalentTech
To apply for the program, visit: Program applications
Are you an e-health start-up interested in funding? Apply for the Investing in Africa i3 Program before 26 June 2023
Are you an e-health start-up interested in funding? Apply for the Investing in Africa i3 Program before 22 May 2023
Investing in Innovation (i3), a pan-African initiative invites e-health start-ups to the Investing in Africa i3 Program. i3 aims to accelerate the development and scale-up of innovative solutions that improve the availability, accessibility, affordability, quality and visibility of health products at scale in Africa. The Program seeks to advance access for start-ups traditionally excluded from funding and support, including women-led companies and founders in Francophone Africa.
Successful applicants will benefit from the following:
- Grant of USD 50,000 to support commercialization and impact
- Access to leading donors, industry and institutional players who will facilitate introductions to customers
- Tailored investment readiness support delivered by leading innovation experts
- Opportunities to participate in i3’s flagship event, the i3 Marketplace, which connects innovators with potential partners and investors
Interested participants must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Be based in Africa
- Be developing a solution that addresses a health product distribution challenge in Africa
- Be at the early- or growth-stage
- Have a strong team with the experience and expertise to execute on their business plan
To apply for the Program, visit: i3 Applications
Call for applications for women-led businesses to access business development support and low-interest loans

Call for applications for women-led businesses to access business development support and low-interest loans
The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) and Inkomoko Entrepreneurship Development seek to support 75 women-led businesses in Rwanda with access to business development services and low-interest loans. Through this program, selected businesses will benefit from six months of business bootcamp workshops, business consulting services, and networking opportunities in addition to low-interest loans. The program targets women-led businesses in the retail, wholesale, agriculture, tourism and hospitality, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing sectors. To be eligible, interested businesses should:
- Be a women-led business – founded, run and owned by a woman or have a woman as majority shareholder/key decision maker
- Have an annual revenue of not less than Rwf 65 million
- Have at least more than 5 employees with the potential to create more jobs. (There will be flexibility depending on the business venture
- Have a need we can help fulfill with our services.
- Be registered with Rwanda Development Board
- Have at least one year of operation.
To register, contact:
Phone number: 0788455377
Email: info@inkomoko.com
Tips for Managing your Cash Flow
Tips for Managing your Cash Flow
Good cash flow management is a critical skill for every small business owner, and it is important for cash flow to remain positive for your business to thrive. Positive cash flow occurs when the money entering your business from sales and accounts receivable is higher than the amount of the cash leaving your businesses through expenses like rent, employee salaries, and other costs. It is essential not only for your bottom line but can also help ensure your business can manage unforeseen circumstances. Negative cash flow happens when the cash you are spending from your business is higher than the cash coming into the business, which can indicate trouble for the company. Without adequate cash flow, your business may underperform, leading to the need to downsize or perhaps even close up shop.
COVID-19 related lockdowns have meant that many businesses in Rwanda have experienced negative cash flows over the past year. Over 57% of entrepreneurs are not operating as of April 2020, according to Business Professionals Network and while 42. 5% of entrepreneurs are still operating, only 35.8% are actively selling, which surely means they are experiencing negative cash flow.
Luckily, there are several steps your business can take to fix the harmful cash flow problems. These include:
Get invoicing right.
Invoicing is one of the essential pieces of the puzzle regarding cash flow management. Speed up your cash inflows by delivering your invoices quickly so that you receive faster payment from your clients. Consider investing in automated invoicing such as point of sale machines so that you can improve your turnaround times and minimize delays in sending invoices.
Keep your financial records up to date.
Update your financial records as often as possible. This can help you gain a clear insight into your business’s financial health, which will give you a more precise foundation from which you can forecast your future cash flow, make important decisions, and plan for high and low seasons.
Build a cash reserve you can rely on in tough times.
Building a cash reserve is very important, and it can be done once you hit the break-even point. Businesses face highs and lows – having enough cash to fund your working capital needs can be critical for its continued survival during a low season business.
Liquidate cash that may be tied up in outdated assets or overstocked inventory.
Businesses sometimes have unused equipment, outdated assets, or too much inventory, all of which can be put to better use as income. Equipment and inventory can lose value as new equipment is produced or as customer preferences change. Regardless of whether you sell below initial value, liquidating assets that will not be utilized can contribute to a healthy cash flow.
Consider implementing these strategies to improve cash flow management in your business.
Uburyo bwo gucunga amafaranga yawe y’igicuruzo
Gucunga neza amafaranga y’igicuruzo ni ikintu cy’ingenzi kigomba gukoranwa ubuhanga na buri kigo cy’ubucuruzi gito cyose kandi ni ingenzi kuri buri kigo cy’ubucuruzi gito guhorana igicuruzo cyiza kugira ngo kibashe gutera imbere. Igicuruzo kiba cyiza iyo amafaranga akomoka mu byacurujwe n’ibindi byose byinjiza amafaranga bitanga amafaranga aruta asohoka mu bikorwa by’ubucuruzi nk’amafaranga agenda ku ikode, imishahara y’abakozi, n’andi mafaranga yose asohoka. Ni ingenzi cyane kugira ngo ubucuruzi bubashe kunguka no kugira ngo bigufashe guhangana n’ibihe bitateganyijwe. Igicuruzo kiba kibi igihe amafaranga asohoka mu bucuruzi bwawe asumba abwinjiramo; ibyo bikaba ari ikimenyetso kigaragaza ko ikigo kiri mu ngorane. Iyo amafaranga y’igicuruzo adakwiye, ubucuruzi bwawe bushobora kugenda nabi; ibyo bikaba byatuma ugabanya ikigero ubucuruzi bwari bugezeho ndetse ukaba wanabuhagarika.
Ingamba zo kuguma mu rugo zo gukumira ikwirakwira rya COVID-19 zatumye byinshi mu bigo by’ubucuruzi mu Rwanda bigira igicuruzo kibi umwaka ushize. Hejuru ya ba rwiyemezamirimo 57% ntibakoraga kugeza kuwa [ andika itariki] nk’uko bivugwa na [ andika aho wavanye aya makuru] naho ba rwiyemezamirimo 42.5% barakoraga. Ba rwiyemezamirimo 35.8% baracyagurisha ariko bakaba bafite igicuruzo kibi.
Ku bw’amahirwe, haracyari ingamba nyinshi ikigo cy’ubucuruzi cyawe gishobora gufata kugira ngo kibashe guhangana n’ibibazo bikomeye bijyanye n’ingano y’amafaranga y’igicuruzo. Zimwe muri izo ngamba ni izi zikurikira:
Kora inyemezabuguzi uko bikwiye.
Gukora inyemezabuguzi ni kimwe mu bice by’ingenzi bigize ihurizo rijyanye n’micungire y’amafaranga y’igicuruzo. Ihutishe ibikorwa bijyanye n’amafaranga yinjira utanga inyemezabuguzi vuba ku buryo wabasha kwishyurwa n’abakiriya bawe mu buryo bwihuse kurushaho. Tekereza gukoresha uburyo bwo gukora inyemezabuguzi bwikoresha nk’imashini zabugenewe ku buryo wabasha kunoza umubare w’inshuro uzenguruka ukanagabanya igihe wohererezamo inyemezabuguzi.
Huza ibitabo by’ibaruramari byawe n’igihe.
Huza ibitabo by’ibaruramari byawe n’igihe uko bishoboka kose. Ibi bishobora kugufasha kugira igitekerezo cyumvikana ku bijyanye n’uko ubucuruzi bwawe buhagaze mu rwego rw’ubukungu; ibyo bikaba byaguha umusinge uhamye washingiraho uteganya uko amafaranga y’igicuruzo uzagira azaba angana mu bihe biri imbere, bikanagufasha gufata ibyemezo by’ingenzi, no kugena ibizajya bikorwa mu bihe byiza no bihe bibi.
Zigama amafaranga ushobora kwifashisha mu bihe bikomeye.
Kuzigama amafaranga ni ingenzi kandi ibi bishobora gukorwa iyo umuntu atangiye kunguka. Ibikorwa by’ubucuruzi bigira igihe bigenda neza n’igihe bigenda nabi- kugira amafaranga ahagije yo kongera mu yo umuntu akoresha bishobora kuba ikintu cy’ingenzi kugira ngo ubucuruzi bukomeze gukora mu bihe bibi.
Shaka amafaranga ugurisha imitungo yarengeje igihe cyangwa ibicuruzwa by’umurengera biri mu bubiko.
Rimwe na rimwe ibigo by’ubucuruzi bigira ibikoresho bidakoresha, imitungo yarengeje igihe, cyangwa ibicuruzwa by’umurengera mu bubiko bwabyo; ibyo byose bishobora gukoreshwa neza bikinjiza amafaranga. Ibikoresho n’ibicuruzwa biri mu bubiko bishobora gutakaza agaciro igihe hakozwe ibikoresho bishya cyangwa bitewe n’ihinduka ry’ibyo abaguzi bifuza. Hirengagijwe ko ushobora kubigurisha munsi y’igiciro fatizo cyabyo, kugurusha ibikoresho bitazakoreshwa bishobora gutuma ingano y’amafaranga y’igicuruzo yiyongera.
Tekereza uburyo washyira mu bikorwa izi ngamba mu rwego rwo kunoza imicungire y’amafaranga ikigo cy’ubucuruzi cyawe gicuruza.
If I received a tax waiver because of COVID-19 hardships, what does the new announcement from RRA mean for me?
If I received a tax waiver because of COVID-19 hardships, what does the new announcement from RRA mean for me?
The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) released an announcement on August 21st, 2020, for those taxers who requested waivers of penalties, fines, and interest for late payment of Pay as You Earn (PAYE), VAT, and withholding tax (WHT) in March, April, and May 2020, as well as those who requested for Corporate Income Tax (CIT) for 2019.
In that announcement, RRA has stated that the due date for principal tax payments for those who requested waivers is no later than 30 September 2020.
So, if you are a taxpayer who has requested one of the waivers above, be sure to pay the principal taxes owed by 30 September 2020.
This is an important announcement, as those not having paid on time will be subject to all penalties, fines, and interest for the unpaid taxes. This will be an important part of planning your business finances this month.
You can visit the RRA website, rra.gov.rw, and the list of taxpayers, to check to make sure you are on RRA’s list.
Niba narasonewe umusoro kubera ibibazo byatewe na COVID-19, itangazo rishya ry’Ikigo cy’Imisoro n’Amahoro (RRA) risobanuye iki kuri njye?
Ikigo cy’Imisoro n’Amahoro (RRA) cyatanze itangazo kuwa 21 Kanama 2020, rigenewe abasora basabye gukurirwaho ibihano, amande, n’inyungu ku bukererwe bwo kwishyura umusoro ku bihembo, umusoro ku nyongeragaciro, n’umusoro ufatirwa muri Werurwe, Mata, na Gicurasi 2020, ndetse n’ababisabye ku musoro ku nyungu z’amasosiyete wa 2019.
Muri iryo tangazo, RRA yatangaje ko itariki ntarengwa yo kwishyura imisoro ku basabye gusonerwa ari kuwa 30 Nzeri 2020.
Bityo rero, niba uri umwe mu basora basabye gusonerwa kimwe mu byavuzwe haruguru, ugomba kwishyura imisoro urimo bitarenze kuwa 30 Nzeri 2020.
Iri tangazo ni ingenzi kuko abatazishyurira ku gihe bazahabwa ibihano, bacibwe amande n’inyungu ku misoro batishyuye. Iki ni ikintu cy’ingenzi uheraho uteganya ibijyanye n’amafaranga uzakoresha mu bucuruzi bwawe muri uku kwezi.
Ushobora gusura urubuga rwa interineti rwa RRA; rra.gov.rw, n’urutonde rw’abasora, kugira ngo urebe ko uri ku rutonde rwa RRA.










