Rwanda: Small and Medium Enterprises Unlocking New Opportunities Through Technology

In Rwanda, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly gaining new opportunities to expand their businesses thanks to the growing accessibility of digital technologies.

According to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), new avenues such as e-commerce platforms and mobile-based financial services are enabling entrepreneurs to operate without the need for large shops or costly infrastructure.

A young entrepreneur in Kigali testified that using platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook to advertise and sell his products has significantly expanded his customer base. He stated:

“At first, I could not afford to open a physical store, but through online sales, I now sell clothes and accessories quickly and deliver them to customers within a short time.”

Digital financial services, including Mobile Money and mobile banking applications, are also transforming the way transactions are conducted, allowing SMEs to receive and transfer funds more efficiently.

Experts argue that if these opportunities continue to be harnessed, SMEs could become a powerful driving force in Rwanda’s economic growth, noting that they already represent more than 90% of all businesses in the country.

Ongoing Support and Goals

The government has prioritized policies that facilitate access to affordable loans for SMEs.

Training programs are be kinging offered to help entrepreneurs integrate technology into their business models, particularly in digital marketing and online trading.

Development specialists encourage young people to take advantage of these opportunities, emphasizing that their digital skills could help them scale their businesses more rapidly than previous generations.