On Friday, April 25, MTN Rwanda honored 25 women-led savings groups as part of the MTN Connect Women in Business 2025 contest. Among those recognized were twelve teams located in Kigali and thirteen others scattered throughout the nation. These award-winning ventures span various sectors including agriculture and animal husbandry, crafts, tech innovations, and a specific division designed for individuals with disabilities.
The event highlighted several standout achievements such as Terimbere Kabatare, Twitezimbere Muhinzi Mworozi, and Abahujumugambi excelling in farming activities; Imbereheza and Abihuje making strides in artistry; and Indatwa VSLG, Twitezimbere, along with Abihuje Mudende (Dis) showcasing exceptional work within the specialized disability-focused segment. Additionally, Urumuri, Ejoheza Women Agents, and Twiyubake earned recognition for pioneering advancements in digital solutions. Notably, Twisungane—a collective specializing in artisanal goods—was bestowed the highest honor of three million Rwandan Francs aimed at scaling up their enterprise.
In aggregate, over twenty-five million Rwandan Francs were distributed among all participating collectives. This funding aims primarily towards reinforcing ongoing endeavors rather than external consumption, ensuring continuous enhancement under close supervision provided by MTN.
Thancila Nyiranzeyimana, leader of Twisungane, expressed optimism regarding how this financial infusion could facilitate expansionary strategies and enhance market responsiveness. Her team initially commenced operations amidst governmental bans against single-use plastics, transitioning into producing environmentally conscious alternatives sourced locally via innovative recycling practices.
Alain Numa, representing corporate social responsibility at MTN Rwanda, underscored the program’s foundational role in fostering resilient entrepreneurial ecosystems specifically tailored for female entrepreneurs harboring scalable ambitions. Annually contributing one percent of company earnings toward charitable causes, they prioritize impactful outreach programs targeting grassroots empowerment.
Numa further noted that since inception six years ago, partnerships formed between public institutions like ministries overseeing gender equality alongside religious bodies such as AEE have significantly propelled socio-economic advancement nationwide. By advocating self-sufficiency models coupled with technological literacy enhancements, numerous participants successfully transitioned from subsistence modes to commercially viable enterprises sustaining both personal prosperity and broader economic stability.
Marie-Mediatrice Umubyeyi, head administrator at the National Council of Women, stressed collaborative synergy vital for holistic developmental trajectories amongst aspiring females. Emphasizing interdependence dynamics encompassing familial ties, communal networks, policy frameworks collectively propelling individual success stories forward.
She advocated proactive engagement leveraging contemporary tools enabling seamless transactions remotely thus democratizing access irrespective geographical constraints. Moreover, promoting disciplined fiscal planning transcending mere contingency reserves facilitating wealth creation opportunities catalyzing job generation avenues enhancing overall societal welfare indices positively impacting quality life standards universally acknowledged globally today. Encouraging male counterparts equally contribute supportive roles nurturing emerging talents resonating inclusivity ethos central tenets guiding global discourse around equitable opportunity distribution mechanisms presently gaining traction worldwide.
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