This event was organized by Business Imanzi, in collaboration with ADA Microfinance, and took place at Musanze ESC. It brought together enthusiastic Agri-MSME entrepreneurs from all over the country, many of whom were inspiring women making a difference in their communities.
🌱 Setting the Stage for Change
The opening ceremony was filled with motivation, featuring speeches from Mr. Deus KAYITAKIRWA, the Executive Director of Business Imanzi, and the PSF Northern Province Coordinator. They urged participants to immerse themselves in the experience, highlighting that this five-day program was a great opportunity to sharpen their skills, strengthen their businesses, and get ready to tap into inclusive finance options.
💡 Learning to Build Sustainable Businesses
The first week kicked off with sessions covering essential topics like business planning, record keeping, risk management, teamwork, and market research. Participants teamed up to brainstorm new agribusiness ideas, outline their goals, identify challenges, and find ways to tackle these obstacles.
As the week continued, the spotlight shifted to budget management, tracking profits and losses, and preparing income statements. Trainers facilitated practical exercises, emphasizing the importance of every franc and demonstrating how solid financial management can boost investor confidence.
📊 Turning Knowledge into Practice
Working together, the entrepreneurs crafted detailed business plans, breaking them down into budgets, marketing strategies, and risk management frameworks. Each group presented its plans, receiving valuable feedback from both trainers and peers, which encouraged collaboration and sparked creativity.
💬 Voices of Gratitude and Reflection
Many trainees shared how life-changing this training was for their business journeys. It was often the first time they really understood how to connect financial data with everyday business decisions. They expressed heartfelt gratitude to Business Imanzi, ADA Microfinance, Cooperation Luxembourg, PSF Rwanda, Musanze District, and their home districts for making the program possible, especially for the support given to women-led agribusinesses.
📱 Embracing Digital Growth
The first week wrapped up with sessions on using digital and social media tools to grow their businesses. Participants learned how to create engaging online profiles, effectively promote their products, and reach new customers through social platforms. This shift marked a significant transition from traditional marketing to a more digital-focused approach.
By the end of the week, every entrepreneur left not just with new knowledge but also with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to apply what they learned about inclusive finance to grow their agribusiness ventures.
