Belgian business executives who are on a trade mission in Rwanda, met with leaders of startups in financial, health, and education technology to learn about the working environment as well as network with them. As part of their agenda, they toured around Norrsken facilities that host about 200 startups in Rwanda on March 30. The largest state-of-the-art hub in Africa is based in Kigali and is home to different entrepreneurs mainly dealing with technology innovations across various sectors to deliver knowledge-based solutions to most African problems. The hub is expected to host more than 1000 startup companies from different African countries by the time it is complete. The Belgian delegates represent 26 companies involved in construction and general infrastructure, water treatment, health sector, manufacturing, Information Technology, and environment sector among others. During their tour around the facility, the delegates were explained the whole idea behind the initiative and presented with opportunities they can leverage, shall they need to expand in Rwanda as a gateway into the region. Zama Ngwenya, a digital content strategist with an office at Norrsken, said that having delegates over means more opportunities, scaling up for most tech entrepreneurs present. “It also gives them opportunities to get mentorship and funding which is the most important thing for any startup. To have somebody that understands your brand and supports your vision,” she said. Eric Santkin, the Belgian Trade Commissioner in Rwanda, said the expectations were to find representatives, importers, or partners for their projects in Rwanda. He said that the trade mission was a success given different presentations and meetings they had with various institutions and government ministries such as the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Environment, Rwanda Development Board, and Rwanda Food and Drug Authority, among others. “Some have expressed their interests and discussions are ongoing after business-to-business sessions they had.” Patrick Knipping, a retired businessman who is now a counselor at Berexinvest, is convinced that Rwanda is a good destination owing to how the country is well-organized and its high level of security. This year’s Belgian trade mission took place after being postponed twice and it concluded on March 31.
