Over 1,000 Rwandans to Benefit from Employment Opportunities in Health and Nutrition Sectors

By The Inspirer.

The German government is set to create over 1,000 job opportunities within the health and nutrition sectors in Rwanda.

This significant endeavor stems from a grant facilitated by the Facility Investing for Employment (IFE), representing KfW Development Bank and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

According to a press release issued on Tuesday, February 12, 2024, the signing of two grant agreements marked the commencement of two impactful social projects in Rwanda. The signing ceremony took place at the residence of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kigali.

The first grant, totaling EUR 1.1 million, was awarded to Solid’Africa, a local social enterprise, to establish an Institute for Culinary Arts and Nutrition (ICAN). This grant aims to fund the construction of a vocational training center catering to chefs and professional kitchen staff. The center will address the nutritional needs of low-income patients in hospitals and contribute to Rwanda’s private sector, particularly in the hospitality industry.

Solid’ Africa, known for producing approximately 9,000 free meals daily for hospital patients and selling over 4,000 meals to various private customers, reinvests its proceeds into organizational activities.

The second grant, amounting to 1.53 million EUR, was allocated to the Society for Family Health (SFH) to bolster job creation within the health sector. The funding will support the construction of health posts and enhance the capacity of healthcare workers to deliver high-quality services in remote areas.

Steffen Kuhl, Managing Director of IFE, commended Solid’ Africa for its impressive blend of business and social impact, emphasizing the creation of over 850 jobs. He underscored the alignment of both projects with IFE’s special initiative, “Jobs for a Just Transition.”

Regarding SFH, Kuhl highlighted the organization’s commitment, noting the construction of additional health posts to improve access to medical services across Rwanda.

The grants emphasize the pivotal role of partnerships in job creation and business expansion. Nassir Katuramu, CEO of Solid’ Africa, welcomed the collaboration, particularly amid the national scaling of the feeding program to 47 district hospitals.

Both grantees will play a crucial role in realizing their respective projects. IFE’s funding for the Institute for Culinary Arts and Nutrition covers 72 percent of the total cost, with Solid’ Africa contributing the remaining 28 percent. Similarly, SFH will cover the remaining project costs following IFE’s 75 percent grant allocation.

This partnership signifies a significant step towards economic empowerment and sustainable development in Rwanda, showcasing the impact of international collaboration in addressing pressing societal needs.

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