Youth agribusinesses secure Rwf100 million to expand operations

Each winner will receive Rwf10 million after being selected from 15 finalists who presented their business ideas in the competition. The initiative is run in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and Friends of Imbuto.

The awards follow a six-month programme that provided participants with training and business skills aimed at strengthening their enterprises.

Among the winners is Ongeza Initiative Company Ltd, based in Karongi District, which makes fragrances from plants and fruits including pineapples, mangoes and bananas.

Thérèse Muzigamabanga Ongeza, who represented the company, said the funding would enable her to buy machinery and increase daily production from 20 litres to about 50 litres.

“I used to rely on manual labour. I am now going to buy a machine that will make the work faster,” she said, adding that the expansion would allow her to employ three more people and create a market for farmers supplying raw materials.

Another beneficiary, Global Green Project, which operates in Kayonza and Gatsibo districts, produces avocado and coffee seedlings.

Its representative, Fiston Bigirimana, said the company planned to double its production space from 300 to 600 square metres and invest in modern equipment.

The business currently employs six permanent workers and 25 temporary workers. Bigirimana said it expected to add four permanent positions and 30 temporary jobs as it expanded.

He said the training provided through the programme was as valuable as the financial award, particularly in helping entrepreneurs understand how to develop and manage their businesses.

The other winning enterprises are Avoranco Farms, Tante Beauty, Vextra Sachet, TTT Processing Agency, Kold Rwanda, Light Farmers, Agrodiol and Bana Bags Ltd.

Iliza Cindy, Imbuto Foundation’s Director of Operations, said the organisation wanted to support young people with innovative ideas and the ambition to make agriculture a viable source of income and employment.

She encouraged the winners to continue researching market demand, improve their business plans and seek advice and financing opportunities from financial institutions and other support organisations.

The Imali Agribusiness Challenge is designed to strengthen youth-led businesses across agricultural value chains through financial assistance, training and mentorship. Imbuto Foundation says the programme aims to improve productivity, create employment and encourage more young people to pursue agriculture as a business.