Beneficiaries of six phases of Imbuto Foundation’s iAccelerator programme were encouraged to think beyond short-term solutions and focus on fostering a culture of innovation and empowerment. This was said by Elodie Shami, the Director General of Imbuto Foundation, during a workshop held on March 10. The event, organised in partnership with BPN Rwanda, focused on the pivotal role of social entrepreneurship in fostering sustainable change. ALSO READ: Imbuto’s iAccelerator provides new round of funding to top start-ups iAccelerator programme supports young entrepreneurs through seed funding, training, and skills development to create innovative solutions addressing challenges related to sexual and reproductive health, mental health, sexuality education, family planning, maternal health, and broader population development issues. Shami applauded past iAccelerator participants for their innovative solutions, which provide young people with essential adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) resources and challenge mental health stigma. “These projects prove that young innovators can make a real impact if given the right opportunities. At Imbuto Foundation, we believe young people are the driving force of progress,” she said. “Ask yourselves, how you can make your business both sustainable and impactful. How can you push boundaries and think bigger?” Shami also underscored the role of technology in scaling impact. ALSO READ: Imbuto Foundation rewards four winners of the iAccelerator challenge Alice Nkulikiyinka, Country Director of BPN Rwanda, emphasised the importance of supporting young innovators in tackling pressing societal challenges through social entrepreneurship. “We all know how difficult it is to start a business, and growing and scaling it is even more complex. For social enterprises, the challenge is compounded by the fact that the very communities they aim to serve often lack the financial means to access these solutions,” Nkulikiyinka said. Nkulikiyinka noted that the event not only showcased the work of young innovators but also fostered collaboration among key ecosystem players, including financial institutions, impact investors, policymakers, and service providers. The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry Antoine-Marie Kajangwe, linked social entrepreneurship to Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), emphasising its role in national development. ALSO READ: The impact of Rwanda’s youth tech entrepreneurs “Our economic pillar focuses on increasing exports, boosting industrial output, and creating jobs. But social entrepreneurship directly contributes to the social development pillar by improving health, education, and overall well-being, Kajangwe said. The private sector, including social entrepreneurs, plays a crucial role in filling gaps left by fluctuating global aid, particularly in health and agriculture.” Kajangwe acknowledged challenges in the global trade environment, including shifts in trade policies and funding cuts from organisations like USAID. Given these uncertainties, social entrepreneurs must step in to bridge gaps in our communities. The government cannot do it alone, he said. He noted policy changes supporting social enterprises, including the introduction of community benefit companies. “Previously, social enterprises operated in a grey area. Now, businesses in the social sector can register as community benefit companies, allowing them to balance profit-making with social impact,” he said. He also pointed to financial support mechanisms available for young entrepreneurs, such as the Business Development Fund (BDF). Impact of the workshop on participants Among the young entrepreneurs present was Gaelle Gisubizo, founder of Dope Initiative, which leverages computer technology to educate teenagers about reproductive health. “These dialogues are crucial because they continue to mentor us, train us, and guide us on how to make our project profitable. This allows us to sustain our work, create more jobs for young people, and connect with investors interested in our products,” Gisubizo said. Comedian Etienne Iryamukuru, a winner of Phase 4 of the iAccelerator programme, explained how his project, Bigomba Guhinduka, helps in raising mental health awareness. “So far, we haven’t been able to reach every part of the country, but mental health is a crucial topic that affects everyone. Thanks to the network we’ve built here, we believe we can expand our reach and make a meaningful impact,” he noted.
