Entrepreneurship for microbusinesses management and coaching improvement
Written By Admin Published on November 14, 2022

For proper implementation of the Workplace Learning and Youth Decent Employment Support Programme 2022-2026, APEFE identified different partners that can contribute to the coaching and mentorship of apprentices in the selected trades (Food Processing, Tailoring, Beauty, and Leatherworks). The targeted part- ners’ groups include but are not limited to TVET Schools : Gacuriro, Bumbogo, Maraba, Gakoni, Ngarama, IPRC Kigali, ESTB/Busogo, EAV Kabutare, and EFA Nyagahanga. The local government agents such as Directors of Business Development and Employment Units- BDEUs/Economic Development Units-EDUs and Business Development Agents-BDAs from the selected Districts (Huye, Musanze, Gatsibo, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge and Gasabo) ;

Coordinators or Managers of Employment Services Centres-ESCs of Kigali, Huye, Musanze ; Yego Centres ; and two Business Incubation Centres (Masaka & Nyarutarama).
In order to strengthen the entrepreneurship spirit of the identified partners, APEFE in partnership with Rwanda Institute for Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship and Microfinance (RICEM) organized a training in entrepreneurship and access to finance. The training was conducted in a session of ten (10) successive days and local government agents (BDEUs/EDUs, BDAs, ESCs, YEGO and Business Incubation Centres) from identified Districts attended. The training took place on 19- 28th September 2022 at RICEM with the aim to equip participants with relevant skills enabling them to properly manage microbusinesses and improve their coaching skills in entrepreneurship.

Participants in the training were first facilitated to test their ability to undertake business activities through a psychometric test. Secondly, they developed skills in taxation and online business registration in Rwanda and advanced business planning. The practical exercise on Business Model Canvas also assisted them to summarise and present the concept of their businesses. In addition to this, entrepreneurship coaching and IT skills were improved.
Participants testify that the training was important to them. They got the opportunity to understand why and how the income tax is charged to businesses in Rwanda and can now support new entrepreneurs to register their businesses. They will also use the coaching and IT skills gained to improve the service provided to new entrepreneurs.


(Picture of participants learning computer skills).


(Picture of BDEUs at RICEM training learning talking about what they learned about the entrepreneurial pro- cess in Rwanda).

According to DUKUNDIMANA Cassien (Director of Business Development and Employment in Huye District) and MUZUNGU Emmanuel (the Coordinator of MUSANZE YEGO Centre), they appreciate the way RICEM conducts the training and ensure that it will help them to im- prove the technical assistance they provide to new entrepreneurs. Participants commit themselves to make positive changes when they will be back to their working institutions and invite RICEM and APEFE to conduct a field visit to check the implementation progress and con-