When Francine Munyaneza launched her solar energy company in 2013, she had no large office, sizable team or extensive resources.

Her living room served as both an office and store.

Nine years later, the company won the Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) competition, securing a $100,000 prize and cementing its place among Africa's leading impact-driven enterprises.

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Today, Munyaneza serves as a judge for the ABH 2026 Top 100 entrepreneurs competition, supported by the Jack Ma Foundation.

She founded Munyax Eco with personal savings, determination and a conviction that clean energy could transform lives.

Born in Belgium, Munyaneza studied Business Administration and Finance before working across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, including with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

"Wherever I went, I encountered the same challenge: limited access to reliable electricity. Whenever I visited Rwanda, I saw similar difficulties in many communities," she said.

Determined to help address the problem, she left her job in Nigeria and returned to Rwanda in 2013 to establish a solar energy company.

Before launching the business, she spent six months studying the local market.

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"I had very few professional contacts in Rwanda and no established network. Before making such a major decision, I wanted to understand the market and determine whether the business idea was viable," she said.

Her initial focus was on solar water heaters and solar photovoltaic systems.

"With the savings I had, I could purchase solar products locally, retail them or supply them to customers," she said.

At the time, Rwanda&039;s solar water-heating sector was growing, supported by a government programme managed through the Rwanda Energy Group (REG).

For Munyaneza, however, the business was about more than selling technology.

The company expanded into solar photovoltaic systems for schools, health centres, hotels and other institutions, particularly in underserved areas. It also supplies small solar kits to rural communities and refugee camps.

Beyond household lighting, Munyax Eco develops solar-powered technologies that support economic activity, including milling machines, irrigation pumps, cold rooms, freezers, hair salons and sewing machines in refugee camps.

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"These productive-use technologies create jobs, support businesses and improve livelihoods," she said.

Tackling post-harvest losses

Munyaneza said solar-powered cold rooms are helping farmers reduce post-harvest losses.

"Farmers often lose a significant portion of their produce because fruits and vegetables spoil before reaching the market. Solar-powered cold storage helps preserve harvests for longer periods," she said.

The technology also strengthens farmers' bargaining power.

"Without storage facilities, farmers are often forced to sell immediately at very low prices. With cold storage, they can wait for more favourable market conditions," she explained.

The company also supplies solar-powered freezers for fish and meat, helping maintain the cold chain, reduce waste and improve food safety.

Building a company from a living room

Like many entrepreneurs, Munyaneza started small. In the early days, she was a founder, manager, accountant, technician, salesperson and customer support officer all at once.

"I would even assist with solar installations," she recalled.

Her living room doubled as an office and storage facility for solar equipment.

Growth came gradually, driven largely by customer service. Munyaneza shared her personal phone number on brochures and marketing materials so customers could reach her directly.

The company also invested heavily in staff training to build the technical expertise needed in Rwanda's growing renewable energy sector.

"Recommendations from existing clients helped attract new customers, while the team continued raising awareness about the benefits of solar energy," she said.

Munyaneza describes her journey as one built on perseverance and purpose.

"When you are passionate about what you do and believe in the impact it creates, the challenges become easier to overcome," she said.

She started with a team of three people — herself, a technician and an administrative assistant. Today, Munyax Eco employs 33 people.

One of her proudest achievements is increasing women's participation in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

"Through deliberate recruitment, training and mentorship, women now represent around 60 per cent of our workforce," she said.

Reaching 1.5 million beneficiaries

Munyax Eco's solar solutions have benefited an estimated 1.5 million people through installations in households, schools, hotels, health facilities, embassies, UN agencies, government institutions and military facilities.

"We have installed more than 5,000 solar systems and continue contributing to Rwanda's climate goals by reducing an estimated 7,500 tonnes of carbon emissions every year," she said.

Expanding across Africa

As demand for clean energy grows, the company has expanded beyond Rwanda.

"We operate in refugee camps and have established offices where energy access remains a challenge. We have also expanded into Burundi and developed partnerships in Zambia and Ethiopia," she said.

"Our ambition is to continue scaling our impact across the continent."

Munyaneza said winning the $100,000 ABH prize boosted the company's credibility and opened doors to new opportunities.

"The recognition improved our ability to attract funding and engage potential partners. It showed that our business had gone through a rigorous evaluation process and was recognised among Africa's most promising enterprises," she said.

One project supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Local Government saw the company electrify 35 rural administrative offices and health facilities.

"The project improved service delivery and ensured essential public services could continue operating effectively," she said.

Munyaneza noted that greater investment is still needed to expand renewable energy access.

"We have received support from the Rwanda Green Fund and are engaging with the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) and other partners to explore innovative financing solutions," she said.

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Returning to Rwanda

As Rwanda prepares to mark Liberation Day on July 4, Munyaneza reflected on her decision to return home.

"My first visit back to Rwanda was in 2001. It took me several years before I felt ready to return. I was deeply discouraged and emotionally affected by what had happened," she said.

She credited her mother, who returned shortly after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, with helping her reconnect with the country.

"When I came back, I witnessed something remarkable. I saw a country rebuilding itself step by step. If Rwanda had not been liberated and embarked on this recovery journey, I do not believe I would have returned," she said.