From stall to eco-resort: One woman empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs

When Aline Ishimwe stepped onto the stage at the 20th National Umushyikirano at Kigali Convention Centre, she was more than a panellist. She embodied a new wave of young entrepreneurs reshaping Rwanda’s service economy—and proving that with skills, opportunity and grit, young people can build lasting enterprises. At just 28, Ishimwe is the founder of Karisimbi Cave Resort, a women-led eco-resort in Musanze District. The business creates jobs, nurtures young women into leadership roles and is steadily raising standards in Rwanda’s hospitality sector. Her journey to national recognition, however, did not begin in a boardroom or business school. Roots and early hustle Born and raised in Byumba Sector, Gicumbi District, Ishimwe grew up as the first-born in a family of five, learning early the value of resilience and self-reliance. “I was always asking myself, ‘What can I do with my hands and my mind to help my family?’” she recalls. Her determination earned her a scholarship to the University of Rwanda, where she enrolled in Information Technology. But the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted her plans. Forced to return home in 2019, she realised waiting for circumstances to improve was not an option. “I couldn’t just sit at home and hope for something to happen. I had to create my own path, even with very little,” she says. In 2020, Ishimwe moved to Musanze, renting a modest house for Rwf10,000 a month and starting a small business selling potatoes, bananas and other staples. “I woke up before sunrise, went to the market, prepared my goods and tried to attract customers. Some days were good, others not. But every day, I was learning—about people, trade and persistence,” she says. Discovering hospitality and opportunity As she worked, Ishimwe noticed Musanze’s growing hospitality industry and the steady flow of visitors it attracted. “I realised that selling a kilo or two of potatoes limited my interactions. Hotels, on the other hand, connected me to people from everywhere. That’s where I saw bigger potential,” she says. She began writing letters to hotel managers and visiting receptions in person. Her persistence paid off when she secured a front-desk job. “It wasn’t glamorous. I stood all day, managed guests and learned on the job. But I knew this was the door I needed to walk through,” she recalls. At the hotel, she encountered mentors, including German consultants, who sharpened her understanding of service and professionalism. “They encouraged me to ask questions and think critically about what service really means,” she says. Unable to continue her IT degree, Ishimwe enrolled at the Institute of Applied Sciences (INES Ruhengeri). She also earned a scholarship through Imbuto Foundation to pursue an online hospitality management programme with Cornell University. “I worked during the day and studied at night. It was exhausting, but I was building a foundation,” she says. Closing the gap between learning and practice Through daily interactions with guests and colleagues, Ishimwe noticed a persistent gap between formal education and service delivery. “Staff had diplomas and degrees, but guests still felt the service lacked professionalism. Knowledge alone wasn’t enough—people needed mentoring and real-world training,” she says. She began informal training sessions with colleagues, demonstrating how to greet guests, anticipate needs and organise spaces. “Some resisted at first, but gradually things changed,” she recalls. The impact was visible. Guest reviews improved dramatically on platforms like Booking.com and TripAdvisor. “That’s when I realised we weren’t just running a hotel—we were building confidence, professionalism and reputation,” she says. Launching Karisimbi Cave Resort In August 2023, Ishimwe took a leap of faith. Using her savings and seed capital from mentors, she launched Karisimbi Cave Resort. The 12-room property needed extensive work before it could host guests. “We were repairing, planning and marketing all at once. I slept maybe three hours a night. It was relentless, but I felt alive,” she says. Her vision was clear: hospitality rooted in warmth, detail and experience. “I didn’t want to offer just a bed. I wanted guests to feel welcome before they even entered the room,” she explains. Within months, the resort gained a reputation for personalised service, organic farm-to-table meals and genuinely engaged staff. “Hospitality isn’t about transactions. It’s about creating experiences that stay with people,” Ishimwe says. Empowering women through leadership and mentorship From the outset, Ishimwe prioritised women’s empowerment. “I wanted young women to see hospitality not just as a job, but as a pathway to leadership and ownership,” she says. She recalls mentoring a receptionist who doubted her numeracy skills. “We worked through it step by step. Today, she manages teams and is planning her own business,” Ishimwe says with pride. Her long-term vision includes establishing a hospitality training centre at the resort to equip young women with practical skills in service, leadership and business management. “I want them to leave here ready to own their careers,” she says. Balancing growth, family and resilience In January 2025, Ishimwe got married and soon became a mother—a period that tested her resolve. “There were moments I thought about quitting. My body was exhausted, and balancing everything felt overwhelming,” she admits. Support from her husband proved crucial. “He reminded me how far I had come and why I started,” she says. The experience taught her to delegate, trust her team and manage time more deliberately. “Leadership is about people and relationships, not just operations,” she reflects. Umushyikirano and national visibility Appearing at Umushyikirano 2026 marked a milestone. “It was overwhelming but inspiring. I wanted young people, especially women, to see that entrepreneurship is possible in Rwanda,” she says. She used the platform to amplify the stories of women she mentors, stressing that her success is collective. “When I speak, I speak for every young woman at my resort who is learning to lead,” she says. Lessons from the frontline Running Karisimbi Cave Resort has reinforced key lessons about discipline and empathy. “In hospitality, every detail matters. Timing, communication, attitude—everything,” she says. She treats feedback as a tool for growth. “Negative feedback forces you to improve. Guests are investing trust, and we must honour that.” Advice to youth and women Ishimwe urges young entrepreneurs to focus on purpose rather than quick gains. She began not with a large grant, but with Rwf100,000 from her small trading business. “You don’t need huge capital. Start small, test your ideas and grow step by step,” she advises. She also challenges the idea of effortless success. “Real freedom comes from discipline and sacrifice,” she says, urging young people to avoid habits—such as excessive alcohol consumption—that derail long-term goals. Her message to young women is unequivocal: “You don’t need permission to lead. You can create jobs, build businesses and shape your future.” A growing legacy For Ishimwe, Karisimbi Cave Resort is more than an eco-lodge. It is a platform for mentorship, community impact and professional growth. Her plans include developing her own purpose-built property, expanding training programmes and deepening the resort’s contribution to the local economy. “My mission is to plant seeds,” she says. “Hospitality is the vehicle. Empowerment is the destination.” In the lush hills of Musanze, that mission is already bearing fruit—an enduring testament to vision, resilience and women-led leadership in Rwanda.

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From stall to eco-resort: One woman empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs