About eight small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating across different industries in Rwanda last week pitched their projects to a group of women investors led by Cherie Blair, the founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. The SMEs were looking for investment opportunities and partnerships to scale up their business operations. The SMEs included those that work in the transportation sector, agriculture, tourism, sports, and others working to provide water access and clean energy. Isabelle Uzamukunda of Agasaro Organic pitched her company’s work, which specializes in the production of organic juices and seeks to expand production for export and support local farmers to grow. Her company processes pineapple, maracuja, strawberry, honey, and other agricultural products to make organic juices and biscuits. Christelle Kwizera told investors her company wants to address water access challenges. The company which is called Water Access Rwanda is running “Inuma” water vending kiosks that are improving access to clean and affordable water in rural areas. Water Access Rwanda is seeking investment to set up more sites. Laurent Demuynck presented Kigali Farms and the potential of the activities they are trying to add value to. “Mushrooms are not just lucrative but they are also an important source of protein, nutrition,” he told the jury, calling on investors to invest in mushrooms. Francine Munyaneza of Munyax Eco told the jury that she was looking to increase access to clean energy. Her company specializes in providing renewable energy products. AC Group presented its plan to expand their tailor-made smart transport solutions, Tap & Pay solution, already in Rwanda and Cameroon. The pitch event was hosted in partnership with Feed the Future Rwanda Nguriza Nshore and Africa Invest US through their Women Investors Mission Initiative, a network of highly successful women investors from across different parts who are interested in investing in Africa. Feed the Future Rwanda Nguriza Nshore is a five-year, $14.9 million program funded by the US Government’s Feed the Future initiative through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that aims to drive the growth of small and medium enterprises in Rwanda and create non-farm jobs for rural Rwandans. One of Nguriza Nshore’s three key components is to increase private and commercial investment in SMEs in order to become investment ready, hence why Nguriza Nshore ensured Rwandan SMEs had the platform to present their businesses at the pitch event. AC Groups Harriet Hakiza said it was an opportunity for the businesses to showcase their potential to a team of highly successful women investors. Through conversations, we have seen a willingness from some of these investors and we are optimistic these partnerships can help us scale our operations, she said. The Executive Director of Invest Africa US, Sandrine Nzeukou, said the organization doesn’t directly fund the SMEs but some people on Cherie Blair’s team can invest in the companies or interest others to invest in them through their networks. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
