ConsumerCentriX Participates in Sensitization Workshop for WE Finance Code In Uganda
Ugandan stakeholders have taken a bold step in their journey to become a signatory of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE Finance Code), by convening a sensitization workshop that brought together 26 Commercial Banks, 35 Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), representatives from the Central Bank – Bank of Uganda (BOU), representatives from the country’s Parliament, the FinTech Association and representatives from development partner institutions, to understand what the Code is, and the nature of commitment required for national champions and coalition partners to pledge to increasing access to capital for Women Small and Medium Enterprises (WSMEs).
The meeting was convened by the World Bank Funded GROW Project, alongside the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MOGLSD), Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Bank of Uganda (BOU), Uganda Bankers Association (UBA) and Association of Microfinance Institutions in Uganda (AMFIU).
ConsumerCentriX facilitated the technical discussions that are central to the code, including The Strategic and Business Case for Serving WMSMES, Benefits of implementing the WE Finance Code Initiative In Uganda, and the Critical importance of sex-disaggregated SME data – a central element of the code and its implementation.
Stakeholders made a commitment toward actions that will enable Uganda join over 31 countries around the world that have already signed the code, including Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya, within the East African region. Stakeholders recognized the vital role WSMEs play in driving business growth, job creation, and economic development, and the challenge around insufficient collection, quality, and use of sex disaggregated data that plays a major role in sustaining the gender gap in financial services and access to capital for WSMEs.
“The first barrier [to access to capital] for women is poverty…” Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development, Hon. Amongi Betty Ongom remarked and committed that her Ministry will support the We-Fi Code initiative as this will cause a shift in financial policies that increase access to capital for women. The Uganda Bankers’ Association (UBA) committed to championing the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE-Fi Code) in Uganda, as it is aligned with their Women Economic Empowerment Initiative (WEEI), that aims to position its member institutions as leaders in supporting women entrepreneurs and to drive data-driven decisions that improve financial services for WMSMEs.
The Association of Micro Finance Institutions in Uganda (AMFIU) also committed to championing the Code by ensuring it is fully integrated within SACCOs, MFIs, and other financial institutions across Uganda through leveraging their national network to turn the Code into a living instrument that unlocks finance, growth, and dignity for millions of women entrepreneurs who are the backbone of Uganda’s economy. The Bank of Uganda (BOU) highlighted their current investment in big data initiatives that directly align with the Code’s emphasis on data – not only to support evidence-based policymaking and regulatory oversight but also enable financial institutions to design products that better meet the needs of women entrepreneurs. The Bank of Uganda committed to working with all partners to translate the WE-Fi Code into measurable action, unlocking finance, driving innovation, and accelerating inclusive growth. The meeting gained consensus on what it will take for Uganda to launch the code, with commitments from key coalition and partner institutions emphasizing the collaborative efforts required through public and private partnerships. ConsumerCentriX is supporting Uganda’s implementation of the code.
RADIO SHOW | The role of SMEs in the road to recovery
The role of SMEs in the road to recovery
On 18th March 2021, the SME Response Clinic launched the Twiteze Imbere campaign to recognize and celebrate the role SMEs play in Rwanda’s road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign was supported by the partners of the SME Response Clinic and business development service providers, including the Rwanda Institute of Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship, and Microfinance (RICEM).
During the campaign, a radio show was conducted featuring Esperance Niyitegeka, a lead trainer at RICEM and Angelique Uwimana, an entrepreneur involved in the tailoring business that had gone through RICEM’s training program. Esperance gave a detailed overview of the campaign and highlighted the role SMEs play in Rwanda‘s recovery from COVID-19, sighting their contribution to taxes. Angelique also encouraged women entrepreneurs to participate in the campaign to stand a chance to win and increase their capital, which would help them develop their businesses.
RADIO SHOW | Get to know the Twiteze Imbere Campaign and SME Response Clinic
Get to know the Twiteze Imbere Campaign and SME Response Clinic
On 26th March 2021, the SME Response Clinic launched the Twiteze Imbere campaign to recognize and celebrate the role SMEs play in Rwanda‘s road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign was supported by the partners of the SME Response Clinic, including the African Management Institute (AMI), which will be providing sponsorship to select runners-up of the campaign’s Business Awards competition to participate in its Survive to Thrive programme. The programme equips business owners with the skills, tools, and strategies to navigate challenges and thrive in difficult times.
AMI’s country director, Malik Shaffy Lizinde, was featured on Radio Rwanda for a 30-minute discussion on the Amahumbezi program. Malik gave a detailed overview of the campaign and highlighted how SMEs could engage with the campaign to stand a chance to win 1 million Rwandan Francs and expert advisory services.
IN THE NEWS | Ibigo by’ubucuruzi buto birakangurirwa kwitabira ubukangurambaga bwa “Twiteze Imbere”
Ibigo by’ubucuruzi buto birakangurirwa kwitabira ubukangurambaga bwa “Twiteze Imbere”
Ubukangurambaga bwa “Twiteze Imbere” bwateguwe n’abafatanyabikorwa b’ihuriro rya ‘SME Response Clinic’ mu rwego rwo gushyigikira no kuzirikana uruhare rw’ibigo by’ubucuruzi buto mu kuzahura ubukungu bw’u Rwanda bwazahajwe n’icyorezo cya COVID-19.
Kimwe mu bikorwa bigize ubwo bukangurambaga ni irushanwa rishishikariza abantu gutanga amazina y’ibigo by’ubucuruzi bito babona bigira imikorere myiza. Ibigo by’ubucuruzi bizatsinda bikazahabwa igihembo cya miliyoni imwe y’Amafaranga y’u Rwanda (1.000.000Frw) hamwe na serivisi z’ubujyanama zitangwa n’impuguke mu bucuruzi.
Icyiciro cy’ubucuruzi buzatsinda ku mwanya wa kabiri kizahabwa inkunga yo gukurikirana amahugurwa atangwa n’Ikigo Nyafurika Kigamije Guteza Imbere Imiyoborere (AMI), yiswe “Komeza Utere Imbere – Survive to Thrive”. Binyuze kuri ayo mahugurwa, ba rwiyemezamirimo bazunguka ubuhanga, bahabwe ibikoresho byabugenewe, bige n’ingamba zabafasha guhangana n’ibibazo bagakomeza gutera imbere muri ibi bihe bikomeye byatewe n’icyorezo cya COVID-19. Nanone, bazahahurira n’abandi bacuruzi bo mu Rwanda no muri Afurika.
Umuyobozi wa Access to Finance Rwanda, Iyacu Jean Bosco, asobanura uko SME Response Clinic ifasha ibigo by’ubucuruzi, agira ati “Urubuga rwa SME Response Clinic rufasha ba rwiyemezamirimo kubona amahugurwa, amakuru n’inama ku buryo bwo gukora ubucuruzi neza mu bihe turimo, n’inama mu bijyanye n’imicungire y’imari mu rwego rwo guhangana n’ibibazo by’ubukungu byatejwe na Covid-19”.
Yongeraho ko SME Response Clinic ari umushinga uhuriweho n’abafatanyabikorwa aribo Access to Finance Rwanda, Consumer CentriX, Urugaga rw’Abikorera mu Rwanda (PSF), Ishyirahamwe ry’Ibigo by’Imari Iciriritse mu Rwanda (AMIR), Ikigo Nyafurika Kigamije Guteza Imbere Imiyoborere (AMI), New Faces New Voices Rwanda, n’Ishyirahamwe ry’Amabanki mu Rwanda (RBA).
IN THE NEWS | FEATURED: SME Response Clinic in campaign to support small businesses’ post-Covid-19 recovery
FEATURED: SME Response Clinic in campaign to support small businesses’ post-Covid-19 recovery
In a bid to recognise the role of small businesses in Rwanda’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, Access to Finance Rwanda and partners of the SME Response Clinic are running a campaign dubbed ‘Twiteze Imbere’.
The campaign, meaning ‘Let’s Move Forward Together,’ is supporting enterprises to overcome challenges and acknowledges their importance in job creation and Rwanda’s ongoing economic transformation.
Through resources and learning opportunities, the SME Response Clinic online platform provides access to training, industry insights, and financial management advice to entrepreneurs in Rwanda.
The campaign has been organised in collaboration with ConsumerCentriX, the Private Sector Federation, the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda, African Management Institute, New Faces New Voices Rwanda and the Rwanda Bankers’ Association.
A key feature of the campaign is to celebrate exceptional businesses through the inaugural SME Response Clinic Business Awards and to encourage entrepreneurs to utilise the SME Response Clinic.
As part of the campaign, people across Rwanda can nominate their favourite small businesses.
IN THE NEWS | Uruhare rwa SME Response Clinic mu kuzahura ubucuruzi bwazahajwe n’ingaruka za Covid-19
Uruhare rwa SME Response Clinic mu kuzahura ubucuruzi bwazahajwe n’ingaruka za Covid-19
Umuyobozi w’Ishyirahamwe ry’Ibigo by’Imari iciriritse Bikorera mu Rwanda (AMIR), Nkuranga Aimable, yavuze ko ihuriro SME Response Clinic riri kugira uruhare rukomeye mu kuzahura ubukungu bw’Igihugu. Ubu washyigikira ikigo cy’ubucuruzi buto ukagiha amahirwe yo kwegukana ibihembo byatanzwe n’iri huriro.
SME Response Clinic ni urubuga rwatangijwe hagamijwe kujya rukusanyirizwaho amakuru n’ubujyanama ku icungamari, imisoro, imikoranire na banki n’aho abucuruzi bakura ibishoro muri iki gihe cya Covid-19.
Rufasha abanyarwanda benshi bari mu bikorwa by’ubucuruzi kandi amakuru yose agatangwa mu Kinyarwanda n’Icyongereza.
Hashize umwaka ihuriro rya SME Response Clinic ritangiye mu Rwanda. Iri huriro ryavutse mu gihe Igihugu cyari gihanganye n’ingaruka z’icyorezo cya Covid-19, aho ibigo bito n’ibiciriritse byahuye n’ihungabana ry’ubukungu ritabyoroheye.
Umuyobozi w’Ishyirahamwe ry’Ibigo by’Imari Iciriritse bikorera mu Rwanda (AMIR) rikaba rinabarizwa muri iri huriro, Nkuranga Aimable, yavuze ko iri huriro rihugura ba rwiyemezamirimo b’ibigo bito ndetse n’ibiri kwiyubaka mu gucunga amafaranga akoreshwa mu bucuruzi.
ConsumerCentriX is a proud to partner of the SME Response Clinic with Access to Finance Rwanda and Rwanda Private Sector Federation
IN THE NEWS | Hatangijwe ubukangurambaga buzashimirwamo ibigo bito byagaragaje umuhate mu kwigobotora ingaruka za Covid-19
Hatangijwe ubukangurambaga buzashimirwamo ibigo bito byagaragaje umuhate mu kwigobotora ingaruka za Covid-19
Bizakorwa binyuze mu rubuga SME Response Clinic rwatangijwe n’urugaga rw’abikorera mu Rwanda (PSF) ku bufatanye n’Ikigo cy’igihugu giharanira ko serivisi z’imari zigera kuri bose, Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), hagamijwe kugeza amakuru ya ngombwa ku bari mu bucuruzi mu guhangana n’ingaruka za Covid-19.
Urwo rubuga rukusanyirizwaho amakuru n’ubujyanama ku icungamari, imisoro, imikoranire na banki n’aho abari mu bucuruzi bakura ibishoro muri iki gihe cya Covid-19.
Ubukangurambaga bwa ‘Twiteze Imbere’ buzamara ibyumweru bitatu, bukubiyemo gusangira amakuru y’uburyo ibigo by’ubucuruzi bito n’ibiciriritse byabashije guhangana n’ibihe bikomeye by’icyorezo cyugarije Isi. Hazanashishikarizwa ba rwiyemezamirimo na ba nyir’ibigo by’ubucuruzi bitandukanye kwitabira gahunda za SME Response Clinic, ndetse ibizagaragaza ubudasa bihabwe ishimwe.
Icyo gikorwa kizaterwa inkunga na Access to Finance Rwanda, ConsumerCentriX, Urugaga rw’Abikorera mu Rwanda (PSF), Ishyirahamwe ry’Ibigo by’Imari Iciriritse Bikorera mu Rwanda (AMIR), Ikigo Nyafurika Kigamije Guteza Imbere Imiyoborere (AMI), New Faces New Voices Rwanda, n’Ishyirahamwe ry’Amabanki mu Rwanda.
Rwanda Broadcasting Agency | Businesswomen call for streamlined means of access to finance and investment opportunities
Rwanda Broadcasting Agency
Businesswomen call for streamlined means of access to finance and investment opportunities
By tailoring content and digital targeting, SME Response Clinic is actively equalizing the information asymmetry that prevents women entrepreneurs from safely accessing finance and training. ConsumerCentriX is proud to serve as the implementing partner in this critical initiative.
The SME Response Clinic is featured by RwandaTV
The SME Response Clinic is featured by RwandaTV
ConsumerCentriX is proud to partner on the SME Response Clinic with Access to Finance Rwanda and Rwanda Private Sector Federation
CNBC NEWS |Rwandan entrepreneurs treated to Covid-19 business survival boot camp
Rwandan entrepreneurs treated to Covid-19 business survival Bootcamp
Access to Finance Rwanda in partnership with the African Management institute, the Private Sector Federation and others, has launched a new webinar series dubbed, ‘The Business Survival Bootcamp’, through their website, SME Response Clinic. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the unique challenges that have presented themselves as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and is slated to begin next week. Head of Programs at AFR, Jean Bosco Iyacu joins CNBC Africa for more.