In the Spotlight: Some enterprising women entrepreneurs from Rwanda
#WomenPower #ThousandHills #TransformingRwanda
Rwanda, fondly known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” has emerged as one of Africa’s most inspiring stories of resilience and transformation – and women entrepreneurs are at the heart of this journey. Across the bustling streets of Kigali to the rural communities nestled among the hills – women are driving change through their businesses, proving themselves as vital contributors to economic growth, job creation, and community development.
Women in Rwanda dominate the entrepreneurial landscape – particularly in retail, services, and agriculture, sectors that remain the backbone of the nation’s economy. Many operate within the informal sector, which not only sustains livelihoods but also plays a critical role in contributing to Rwanda’s GDP. Their ventures – whether market stalls, small shops, or agricultural enterprises, reflect determination, creativity, and a deep commitment to supporting families and communities.
Yet, their journey is far from easy. Barriers such as limited access to finance, inadequate training, and persistent gender biases often restrict the growth of their businesses, keeping many ventures at the micro and small enterprise level. Poverty and resource constraints further compound these challenges, preventing women from scaling into larger, formal enterprises.
Empowered on the Thousand Hills: Women Entrepreneurs Driving Rwanda Forward
Despite these hurdles, Rwanda’s vision of building a knowledge-based, middle-income society places women at the center of its development agenda. With strong government backing and support from organizations that provide skills training, access to finance, and networking opportunities, women entrepreneurs are increasingly empowered to break barriers. Their resilience and innovation are not just shaping Rwanda’s economic transformation but also redefining what inclusive growth truly means.
Let’s now celebrate the power of some enterprising women entrepreneurs from Rwanda.
- Joy Ndungutse & Janet Nkubana, Co-Founders of Gahaya Links Cooperatives
Shortly after the Rwandan genocide ended in 1994, the enterprising sisters Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana, Co-founders of Gahaya Links had a vision to turn ancient basket weaving skills into a source of livelihood for thousands of rural women. They launched Gahaya Links, after the Rwandan genocide ended in 1994, which works around empowering Rwanda’s craftswomen.
Like them, many women returnedas refugees or survivors of the genocide. And they started weaving baskets in exchange for food. Initially this startup started by bringing together about twenty women, and taught them how to weave and how to enhance their weaving skills with new design techniques.
Currently, Gahaya Links manages a network of 4,000+ weavers across the country, organised into around 72 cooperatives that help provide much needed income and stability. Gahaya Links “Peace Baskets” are sold and admired the world over.
Moreover, this creative team have successfully opened the business to international markets, partnering with the likes of Macy’s, Walmart, Oprah Magazine, Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel, and Kate Spade.
- Lydie Hakizimana, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Drakkar Limited
Lydie Hakizimana is Co-Founder & Managing Director of Drakkar Limited. Being an entrepreneur and passionate educationalist, she is also a specialist reseller and distributor of educational textbooks, which actually started back in 2006. That was when this she decided to follow her passion and opened a small bookshop.
Soon, her entrepreneurial instincts had her developing relationships with numerous publishing companies. Eventually, she struck a deal that was to be the making of her company with UK publisher, Pearson Education. And Drakkar Ltd rapidly evolved into a leading educational textbooks reseller in Rwanda, becoming an important enabler of her country’s vision for building a knowledge-based economy. It is a game-changing company in Rwanda’s education sector.
Today also has also added exclusive distributor deals with Longman, Heinemann and Penguin to her Pearson contract. Plus, she also opened her first school in 2015. She is Founder & CEO of Happy Hearts Preschools which is a chain of high quality preschools located in Kigali.
- Sonia Mugabo, Founder of Rwandan Fashion Brand, Sonia Mugabo (SM)
Sonia Mugabo, Founder, Sonia Mugabo (SM) is among the new generation of talented fashionpreneurs in Rwanda, who built an exciting, unique fashion brand which was established in 2013.
Her fashion brand was born out of her strong interest in design; and the desire to tap into the existing local artisan talent to make high quality men and womenswear.
The company develops 2 collections each year, and all year round makes items for its clientele. A pioneer of Rwanda’s fashion industry, she is actually setting a new standard for Rwandan fashion in global and local markets.
- Bernadette Umunyana, Founder of Handcrafted Accessory Brand, Dokmai Rwanda
It was Bernadette Umunyana’s strong passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for Made in Rwanda products, that inspired her to launch Dokmai Rwanda. And she created a company and a brand that would celebrate the skills and raw materials of Rwanda.
Today, her company has grown and is producing a range of high-quality leather fashion accessories that are proudly made and designed in Rwanda, and custom-tailored to meet the needs of the brand’s discerning customers.
- Kevine Kagirimpundu and Ysolde Shimwe, Co-founders of Beautiful Handcrafted Shoe Brand, Uzuri K&Y
In the universe of beautiful handcrafted shoes, here is an exciting new brand that emerged onto the global scene.
Kevine Kagirimpundu and Ysolde Shimwe are Co-founders of Uzuri K&Y in Rwanda, a company that creates beautiful handcrafted shoes with a unique Rwandan aesthetic. In fact, they have a strong connection. They are former college classmates who shared a passion for fashion and a desire to start a business venture that would create much needed jobs for their community.
And they decided to kickstart their business while still studying, despite small support received.Thus Uzuri K&Y was launched in 2013.
Today, it is an exciting Rwandan shoe brand, tipped to win new fans globally.
- Linda Mukangoga Ndungutse & Candy Basomingera,
Co-Founders of Rwandan Fashion and Interior Design Brand, haute | baso
In Rwanda, haute | baso was founded by Linda Mukangoga Ndungutse & Candy Basomingera – two creative women who joined forces with a common vision to make Rwanda the go-to place to find quality leather products. They share a common belief in the strength of their country’s unique aesthetic, and drew inspiration from Rwanda’s dynamic and culturally vibrant history, while adding a modern touch.
Their creativity is unique. Their designs successfully merge different artisan skillsets and creative processes that produce unique and marketable pieces. Their mission is – to translate their passion for fashion, art and design into a vehicle for positive change, providing a creative outlet for local and regional artisans while promoting job creation.
Avtar Madan
Shree Lahiri
Himanshu
