Didier Hakizimana, a 35-year-old entrepreneur has chosen to make an impact with his innovative ‘Canarimwe stoves’.
These stoves reduce air pollution by using less charcoal, producing less smoke, and releasing significantly fewer pollutants into the air, offering a more sustainable cooking solution.
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The inspiration
Hakizimana credits the challenging conditions of his upbringing, where cooking meant using wood on inefficient three-legged stoves, as the inspiration for his entrepreneurial journey.
"It would not only be hard to get but also not last for long. It always bothered me and when I finally had the means to do something about it, I didn’t hesitate for a second,” he explained.
Seeking to provide a viable and environmentally friendly alternative, he underwent training and started manufacturing cookstoves. Hakizimana started his business, ADO Green Conserve, in 2020. He operates in Rubavu District where he stays with his wife and two children.
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Initially producing 100 stoves per month, he has since scaled up his operations significantly, to 5,000. "This allows me to provide for my family and cover my children’s school fees. But I’m not the only one who benefits from this,” he said, referring to the 37 people employed by his business.
"The positive feedback from customers who appreciate the stove’s effectiveness and eco-friendliness fuels me to keep going,” he said.
Aspirations
Having seen the impact his enterprise has made on his family’s well-being and the local community, Hakizimana sought further avenues for support.
"As the business keeps growing, I realize that I need more capital. So I joined BK Urumuri because I met their criteria ‘business ideas related to environmental conservation’,” he continued.
The BK Urumuri Initiative, which commenced in 2017, serves to boost the Rwandan economy through supporting local entrepreneurs. Through the BK Foundation this 7th edition of BK Urumuri focuses on ventures addressing environmental and climate change issues.
Selected entrepreneurs, such as Hakizimana, benefit from a comprehensive six-month mentorship program organized by the advisory firm and impact investor, Inkomoko.
The program covers training, assessment, consulting, business advice, and investment readiness. Furthermore, participants have the opportunity to scale up their businesses, create employment opportunities, and receive an interest-free loan of RWF 25,000,000 from the Bank of Kigali after completing the training period.
"Through this program, I gained valuable financial literacy skills and resource management knowledge,” he said, recognizing the significant improvements he made in his work as a direct result of the training sessions and mentorship offered by the coaches.
Looking ahead, Hakizimana’s main obstacles lie in meeting the growing demand for his stoves and expanding his workforce.
If selected as a recipient of the Bank of Kigali’s interest-free loan, he plans to invest in an expanded workplace and hire additional staff.
Participating businesses must meet certain criteria, including being based and operating in Rwanda, having annual revenue under Rwf 500 million, and demonstrating financial profitability or a plan to achieve profitability within the following year. Environmental and social sustainability are also crucial considerations.