About the Event
On April 1st, 2025, the Enterprise Business Center and CECI hosted a landmark event celebrating International Women’s Day and marking 50 years of gender advocacy in Rwanda. The Women’s Forum brought together a vibrant mix of women entrepreneurs, leaders, experts, and students to exchange insights, celebrate progress, and explore concrete ways to accelerate economic inclusion and leadership for women and girls.
With 83 participants (including 70 women), 8 panelists, and 12 women entrepreneurs showcasing their work, the forum offered an inclusive and action-oriented environment.
Objectives of the event
The Forum aimed to:
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Empower women economically through entrepreneurship, skills development, and financial inclusion.
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Create a space for learning and storytelling, allowing participants to share challenges and innovations.
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Explore solutions for market access, funding, and policy improvements supporting women.
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Promote women-led, climate-resilient businesses and leadership across sectors.
The Women’s Forum opened with a series of powerful keynote speeches that set the tone for the day’s discussions. Prof. Ogechi, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Human Resources, emphasized the importance of institutional leadership in promoting gender equity. Olive Zimulinda, Country Representative for CECI, highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to empowering women through entrepreneurship and community development. Elsa Mugabo Gasaro, representing UNESCO, underscored the vital role of education and policy in driving systemic change for women and girls across Africa.
The first panel, Breaking Barriers: Women in Leadership and Business, brought together inspiring voices from across sectors—media, agribusiness, hospitality, and fashion—to explore the challenges and breakthroughs women face on their path to leadership. Ondiro Oganga, Africa Correspondent for Bloomberg News, shared insights into navigating male-dominated media spaces. Sakina Usengimana, Managing Director at Afri Foods Rwanda, showcased her work empowering women in agribusiness under the theme “Seeds of Change.” N. Mwiza Dorothy K., General Manager at Ndaru Luxury Suites, spoke about how women entrepreneurs are reshaping service industries, while Diane Mukasahaha, founder of DIKAM Fashion, offered a candid perspective on overcoming fear and self-doubt in leadership roles.
Following the panel, the Entrepreneur Showcase spotlighted 12 dynamic women-led businesses from across Rwanda. These entrepreneurs presented innovative projects spanning fashion, food, services, and technology, demonstrating the creativity, resilience, and impact of women in the Rwandan business ecosystem.
In the second panel, Money Matters: Mastering Financial Literacy for Business Success, financial experts provided participants with practical strategies to navigate the often-complex world of funding and finance. Carine Mugwaneza of the Business Development Fund (BDF) and Michelle Gacinya from the Bank of Kigali's Women Banking division outlined accessible financial products and support mechanisms. Agatesi Marie Laetitia Mugabo, Commissioner for Women and Gender in the Pan African Movement, emphasized the intersection of gender policy and financial inclusion, while Fredric Rwibasira from Duterimbere NGO, stepping in last-minute for a colleague, provided grassroots-level perspectives on supporting women’s access to capital.
Throughout the afternoon, participants engaged in interactive breakout sessions led by panelists and advisors. Rotating among themed rooms, attendees discussed core topics such as improving access to finance, strategies for scaling businesses, overcoming socio-cultural barriers, and fostering innovation in building sustainable, resilient ventures. These sessions offered a more intimate space for dialogue, reflection, and the exchange of practical solutions, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the Forum.
