Musanze woman builds Rwf35 million business from Rwf100,000 investment

By The Inspirer.

A woman entrepreneur in Rwanda’s northern district of Musanze has built a dairy-processing business valued at about Rwf35 million from an initial investment of Rwf100,000, creating jobs for 20 people in the process.

Ishimwe Clenie, who operates in Kinigi Sector, started by buying and selling milk before venturing into processing it into yoghurt, cheese and fermented milk. Her business, Inaha Event Ltd, has grown into a small dairy-processing enterprise serving the local market.

Her journey began after completing secondary school, when she started selling milk along the roadside. Although she had limited capital, she was determined to earn a living rather than wait for formal employment.

A turning point came when she attended food-processing training, which helped her understand how agricultural and livestock products could be transformed into higher-value goods.

Ishimwe said she recognised that dairy farmers in Kinigi produced substantial quantities of milk but often struggled to find reliable markets offering favourable prices. With limited processing facilities in the area, some milk went unsold or spoiled, leaving farmers unable to earn enough from their production.

“I began thinking about establishing a milk-processing business that would provide farmers with a market while also creating a business opportunity for me,” she said.

She invested her initial Rwf100,000 in purchasing milk and basic processing equipment. At the time, a litre of milk cost her Rwf220, and she began with just 40 litres, turning the milk into products she could sell at a profit.

As the business grew, she reinvested her earnings in equipment and increased production. She now processes up to 2,000 litres of milk a day, equivalent to 60,000 litres in a 30-day month when operating daily.

“I started with little capital and had no clear idea how far I would go, but as I continued working, my business kept growing,” she said.

Since expanding her dairy-processing activities in 2022, Ishimwe says she has invested in cattle, farmland, a house and machinery for her processing facility. She estimates her total assets at Rwf35 million.

She also says her business has helped improve market access for dairy farmers in Kinigi. According to Ishimwe, the price paid for a litre of milk has risen from Rwf220 to Rwf470.

Beyond expanding her own business, she has created employment for 20 people. She believes entrepreneurship should be measured not only by the wealth a business owner accumulates, but also by the opportunities created for others to earn a living and improve their circumstances.

Ishimwe says she makes an annual profit of about Rwf15 million after paying workers, purchasing milk and covering other operating expenses.

She encourages women to pursue business ideas even when they have limited capital, saying a clear vision, training and consistent effort can help them grow their enterprises over time.

“I encourage women to believe in themselves and find activities that can improve their lives. I started with little capital, but I have now developed my business and begun providing jobs to others,” she said.

Employees say the business has improved their livelihoods

Mwenedata Adalbert Tambineza, a Nyagatare District native who works for Ishimwe, said his job at Inaha Event Ltd had helped him move beyond struggling to meet daily needs and begin saving and acquiring assets.

After completing his studies, he worked in different jobs to support himself. Although he had received training in adding value to agricultural products, finding employment where he could use those skills proved difficult.

He joined Ishimwe’s business in 2023, giving him a more reliable source of income and the opportunity to save.

“Since I got a job here with Ishimwe, I have been able to earn a living and save money. I eventually bought a cow and a plot of land for construction. My cattle are now worth Rwf3 million, and I owe that to this job and the saving habits I have developed,” he said.

Northern Province Governor Mugabowagahunde Maurice also emphasised the role women can play in advancing their households and the country through productive economic activities.

He encouraged women to pursue income-generating ventures, access financial services and develop a saving culture, including through the Ejo Heza long-term savings scheme.

“You have a good country that supports women’s development. Get to work to improve your lives, approach financial institutions, uphold complementarity and gender equality, and save through the Ejo Heza programme,” he said.

He added that women who start small businesses and grow them into successful enterprises demonstrate the opportunities created by Rwanda’s inclusive governance.

For Ishimwe, the journey from Rwf100,000 in starting capital to a business with assets valued at Rwf35 million illustrates how a modest investment can grow into an enterprise that supports both its owner and other households.

Her experience highlights the potential of dairy processing to create jobs and improve market opportunities for farmers, while encouraging other women to identify and develop business opportunities in their communities.

Source: IMVAHO NSHYA