The Goldman Sachs Entrepreneurship (GSE) Certificate Programme that is organized by the University of Michigan in collaboration the School of Finance and Banking (SFB) needs more funding for it to reach more members of its target group, the programme Manager, Agnes Uzarerwa told The New Times.

The programme targets Rwandan women by granting them the opportunity to be trained in entrepreneurial skills free of charge.

The five year program started last year with participants undergoing six months training.

Uzarerwa said the program needs more funds to ensure that the number of women to be sponsored is increased.

"There is high demand for Rwandan business women to undergo commercial training to acquire business skills. In this case, there is need for more funds to increase the number of beneficiaries,” Uzarerwa noted.

According to Uzarerwa the program, since 2008, sponsors only 60 women in a two batch system of 30 per year. It will last five years.

However, the number of applicants since the program was launched indicates high demand for the service.

"Last year the number of businesswomen who applied was 600 but only 60 were sponsored. This year, it increased to 1008 but still the sponsored number remains constant,” she said.

Upon completion, participants are required to produce their business plans and best performers are awarded a cash prize of US$ 10,000 for each group in addition to the certificates.

Ends