AGRA

A simple observation in her community, and the ability to identify a business opportunity, led Marie Mukagahima to create something new and leave a lasting legacy, contributing to the future generations.

Her innovation and dedication to agribusiness and agro-processing have not only rekindled interest in some of the forgotten crops in Rwanda but have also created a wave of positive change in the landlocked country known for its breathtaking scenery.

Marie is the founder of Zima Healthy Group, a company not only transforming its fortunes but also changing the lives of hundreds of Rwandese who are embracing healthier choices and a more sustainable lifestyle.

The company has been using raw materials from local women farmers and smallholder farmers to produce quality processed food.

“I identified opportunity in agribusiness and agro-processing in Rwanda and decided to start the company to ensure it exists for my future grandchildren,” Marie said on the sidelines of the AFS Forum 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Company – Zima Healthy Group, which was established in 2017, has revived interest in pumpkin cultivation and processing in Rwanda. Pumpkin has been one of the key vegetables in Rwandan traditional dishes and culture. However, over the years, pumpkins got neglected and were almost forgotten. Out of keen observation and the need to help her community, Marie decided to start processing pumpkins and Zima was born.

Her company collaborates with technical schools to provide practical training and sometimes hires trainees as permanent employees. “My employees are mostly youth, and we have a program to train college and university students in technical skills,” she said. Currently, she has employed 15 permanent employees and 16 casuals, with numbers varying at times.

The team comprises highly talented and ambitious youth who have the desire to learn and improve their skills. “We intend to retain employees by providing benefits, creating a pleasant environment and investing in their career development.”

Marie said the Rwandan government’s responsiveness to issues raised by the country’s entrepreneurs, makes her feel supported. She was quick to point out that, the government has been supportive, particularly in facilitating market visibility and providing environmental-friendly policies. She is a member of SheTrade Hub Rwanda.

In Rwanda, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) in collaboration with the International Trade Centre’s (ITC), and the Private Sector Federation (PSF) Women Chamber of Entrepreneurs established a SheTrades Hub in Rwanda in 2021. The hub is part of a network of more than 10 SheTrades Hubs across Africa, Asia and Latin America, and has been supporting Rwandan women entrepreneurs to improve their competitiveness, connect to new markets and internationalise their businesses.

The SheTrade Hub has been providing a platform for the development of new partnerships with investors, multinational corporations, and business support organisations to foster an enabling environment for businesswomen.

Her company is undergoing steady and impressive growth and is in the process of expanding beyond the Rwandan borders. Zima’s products are now finding their way into the Kenyan and Ghanaian markets.

However, Marie has been facing challenges on customs and transport issues that are making it expensive to distribute her company’s products in various African markets. She said there is a need to improve customs regulations to make it easier for African products to compete with imported goods from other continents.