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Feed the future Rwanda Hanga Akazi and Equity Bank Rwanda sign MOU to Boost inclusive economic growth

By Esther Muhozi
On 25 June 2024 at 12:46

Feed the Future Rwanda Hanga Akazi and Equity Bank Rwanda Plc have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote inclusive employment and entrepreneurship opportunities within Rwanda’s agriculture sector and related industries. The signing ceremony, held at Equity Bank’s former headquarters, marks a significant step towards fostering economic growth and financial inclusion in the country.

Feed the Future Rwanda Hanga Akazi is a five-year USAID-funded initiative dedicated to creating job opportunities and supporting entrepreneurs in Rwanda’s agriculture sector and related fields like agri-business, finance, business development services, hospitality, and training institutes. Equity Bank Rwanda shares this mission and focuses on boosting agriculture-related jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in collaboration with private sector firms.

The MOU sets the stage for cooperation between the two organizations, emphasizing three main areas: financial inclusion, internship programs, and an entrepreneurship bootcamp partnership. The goal is to improve access to finance and technical skills for women, youth, and people with disabilities, empowering them economically and enabling them to contribute more significantly to the economy.

The partnership will also support the bank’s human capacity development by offering internship programs for young graduates. These internships will provide valuable work experience, help build job-related skills, and enhance the agri-business ecosystem in Rwanda.

In addition, Equity Bank will collaborate with Hanga Akazi, the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA), the Ministry of Youth and Arts (MOYA), and other stakeholders to organize an entrepreneurship bootcamp. This program aims to nurture young entrepreneurs by providing business development services and coaching. Successful participants will gain access to the bank’s products and services to help grow their businesses.

Timothy Shumaker, Chief of Party at Hanga Akazi, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing its potential to improve access to skills and financial resources for young entrepreneurs in Rwanda. "Rwanda has a young population full of innovative business ideas, but many aspiring entrepreneurs struggle with finding the necessary capital and access to finance to launch and grow their businesses," Shumaker said. He noted that the partnership would support young entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector, fostering sustainable business growth and job creation, ultimately contributing to Rwanda’s overall economic development.

Hannington Namara, Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership. "We are thrilled to partner with Feed the Future Hanga Akazi to boost Rwanda’s agribusiness ecosystem. This collaboration represents a significant step towards enhancing financial inclusion and fostering entrepreneurship within the agricultural sector," Namara stated. He added that by developing joint action plans for job creation, upgrading skills in agri-food systems, and identifying value addition opportunities, the partnership aims to drive sustainable growth and create a more inclusive economic environment in Rwanda.

The MOU between Feed the Future Rwanda Hanga Akazi and Equity Bank Rwanda Plc is set to make a significant impact on Rwanda’s agribusiness ecosystem. By promoting financial inclusion, providing valuable work experience through internships, and supporting entrepreneurial growth through dedicated programs, this collaboration will play a crucial role in driving Rwanda’s economic development and creating a more inclusive society.

The MOU between Feed the Future Rwanda Hanga Akazi and Equity Bank Rwanda Plc is set to make a significant impact on Rwanda’s agribusiness ecosystem
Feed the Future Rwanda Hanga Akazi and Equity Bank Rwanda Plc have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Different representatives from both parties were presesnt

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