by Emil Chaia, Miller Center Lewis Family Fellow
Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills…
The anticipation was palpable as our plane touched down in Kigali, Rwanda. After 20 hours of flying and arriving in Africa for the first time, I was eager to explore. Little did I know I was about to discover one of the most stunningly beautiful countries I have ever visited.
Nicknamed ‘The Land of a Thousand Hills,’ Rwanda lies within the Great Lakes region of Central Africa. Despite being one of the smallest nations in Africa, Rwanda boasts an incredible trove of biodiversity. Mountains dominate the center and west of the country, while the east is characterized by savannah and plains. Although its size leads one to believe otherwise, Rwanda is one of the leading economic powers on the entire African continent due to tourism and the mining and agricultural industries, mainly thanks to coffee and tea. Walking through the capital, Kigali, you’ll find modern avenues and tall skyscrapers intersecting traditional markets showcasing vibrant crafts and fabrics.
Turikumwe: “We Are Together” in Kinyarwanda
“We eat goat.” We are together, and we celebrate our success. We take time to appreciate one another and hold each other up in hard times. —Inkomoko
On behalf of Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, I had the incredible opportunity to immerse myself this past summer in work on social procurement and analytics for Inkomoko alongside Jeremy Trattler, SCU ‘24. Social procurement involves organizations leveraging their purchasing power to generate social value above and beyond the value of the goods, services, or construction being procured. Partnering with Inkomoko, a renowned social enterprise working with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Africa, including refugees, was an incredible opportunity for me. By offering business advisory services, access to finance, and market linkages, they support entrepreneurs in creating thriving communities. Inkomoko has over 500 staff in 30 offices across Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan and works with over 10,000 entrepreneurs.
I wanted to work with Inkomoko because of their incredible dedication to supporting entrepreneurs, which resonates with my passion for social impact. Their approach to social procurement and creating sustainable economic growth in Rwanda presented an opportunity for me to contribute to the meaningful change being done and learn firsthand about the real-world challenges and successes in promoting entrepreneurship.
All the Problems on the Continent Have Solutions That Already Exist on the Continent
The Continent’s people are its greatest resource. Entrepreneurs are an integral part of the phenomenon of Africa Rising. —Inkomoko
Since we landed in Kigali, we were enveloped by welcomeness and hospitality from the Inkomoko team and the entrepreneurs we interviewed. Arriving at the office, we anticipated a strictly professional work environment. We were surprised by Inkomoko’s office layout, which reflects a commitment to fostering open communication and interaction among different departments. Instead of traditional cubicles, the office space is designed to facilitate seamless collaboration, enabling teams to freely exchange ideas and support each other in pursuit of shared objectives.
Within a couple of days, it became clear that Inkomoko’s work culture reflects Rwanda’s culture itself. Strangers quickly became friends, engaging in spontaneous and friendly conversations. Walking through Kigali, I felt an overwhelming sense of safety and ease. The warmth and openness of the people we met mirrored the values of Inkomoko’s community-building approach.
During our time in Kigali, we discovered another side of Rwanda—its emerging role as a tech hub in East Africa. Visiting and discussing our work with senior consultants at Renew Capital, an investment firm focused on scaling businesses and local tech startups, we saw how Rwanda is positioning itself as a leader in the region’s digital transformation. By backing innovative ventures and promoting local talent, Rwanda’s investments are turning Kigali into a growing center for tech development, driving the next wave of innovation across East Africa.
The Brave Rise Together
Supporting entrepreneurs is the most sustainable way to create wealth and improve livelihoods across the Continent. —Inkomoko
Exploring Rwanda through site visits offered a deeper understanding of the country’s vibrant entrepreneurial landscape and the financial strategies that underpin successful businesses. Each visit revealed local entrepreneurs’ ingenuity and determination and management’s critical role in sustaining and growing their ventures.
At Dokmai, a furniture-making business run by Bernadette Umunyana since 2014, we witnessed the understanding of regional production required to handle large clients like Africa Leadership University. Her strategic approach to acquiring talent, including recruiting from trade schools and maintaining high-quality control standards, led to her long-term growth. Finding immense success in the past eight years, Bernadette also founded Inwood Rwanda, a furniture company dedicated to the design and production of quality, timeless wooden furniture made from sustainably grown Rwandan wood. Another Inkomoko client, Yvette Uwimpaye from Murukali, showcased how e-commerce can transform local markets by connecting thousands of customers to Rwandan products. Ivett’s ability to manage cash flow, handle international orders, and maintain competitive pricing has positioned her business as one of Kigali’s most prominent online markets, contributing to the import-export industry in Rwanda.
The entrepreneurs’ stories of resilience, creativity, and commitment to community development were deeply inspiring. Working in Rwanda, I witnessed firsthand how sound financial strategies and support from organizations like Inkomoko can foster sustainable development and drive economic growth. Integrating financial management tools and techniques supports day-to-day operations and enables these businesses to scale and compete in local and international markets.
Lasting Impressions
As I move forward with my work with Inkomoko and my career, my time and interactions in Rwanda will profoundly impact me. My practical skills have been sharpened, and through the mentorship and guidance I’ve received, I have the clarity and confidence to pursue a career that is not only professionally rewarding but also meaningfully impacts my own communities.
“Wherever God spends the day, He comes home to sleep in Rwanda” —Naomi Benaron, award-winning author
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Photo Credits:
- Touring downtown Kigali with Fellow Jeremy Trattler (L) and Janecie Rangira of Inkomoko (R)
- Interviewing Bernadette Umunyana of Dokmai
- Sitting down with Yvan Ngabo (L), founder of IGI Poultry Ltd, for an interview
- Meeting with Grace Mbabazi, founder and CEO of SOZO Honey
