Aneth Batamuliza
Ecosystem Network Coordinator
GIZ Kigali, Rwanda
About Make-IT in Rwanda
Make-IT (GIZ) partners with the Ministry of ICT and Innovations (MINICT) and supports its vision in the scope of the Smart Rwanda 2020 Master Plan (SRMP) 2016-2020 to enhance digital innovation and transform Rwanda to become a knowledge based economy through SMART ICT. Moreover, Make-IT in Rwanda supports Rwanda’s objective to position the country as a pan-African hub for digital innovations and landing pad for private sector collaboration, making Kigali the most entrepreneurial city in Africa. This implies working with entrepreneurs, hubs and policymakers to create a conducive entrepreneurial ecosystem that accelerates startup growth.
About the local ecosystem
Rwanda’s entrepreneurship ecosystem is growing rapidly, regarded as one of the fastest growing entrepreneurial-friendly countries in Africa. The Rwandan Development Board (RDB) 2017 annual report confirmed registration of 13,500 new companies as of 2017. Rwanda is ranked 38th globally and 2nd in Africa in the World Bank’s ease of doing business report 2020. Today, Kigali hosts about 20 entrepreneurship supporting organizations focused on supporting entrepreneurs. These organizations include hubs, incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces.
Kigali is budding into a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The surge in start-up activity can be attributed to strong efforts by the government to create a business-friendly environment. Efficient processes such as 6 hours or less to register a business, stable electricity and other public infrastructures. Low incidence of corruption makes Rwanda a more attractive country to conduct business.
There is a growing trend in the Rwandan entrepreneurial ecosystem to create vertical and horizontal networks. The current services offered by entrepreneurship supporting organisations focus on startups at the market-entry stage and less on scaling and ideation stages. There are several high-ranking education institutions focused on entrepreneurship and leadership, with the aim of building the next generation of Rwandan innovators. There is a desire for more collaborations within different actors to further nurture the growing ecosystem.
Our Team in Rwanda
Vincent Winterhager
Intern
GIZ Kigali, Rwanda
Olivier Habumugisha
Make-IT Desk Coordinator
GIZ Kigali, Rwanda
Leonie Munk
Coordinator East Africa
GIZ Kigali, Rwanda
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