Grace Ashiru
The Rwandan Startup Ecosystem is a new center for innovation that is ranked number 84 in the world and has dropped 15 places since 2021. It is perfect for Fintech, Software, Data, and Food-tech startups and ranks third for Eastern African startups.
The best city in Rwanda is Kigali, ranked number 395 in the world, 1 in Rwanda, and 2 in Eastern Africa. Since 2021, Kigali has dropped -130 places.
The story of the ICT industry
Rwanda is one of the African countries developing information and communications technology (ICT) at one of the fastest rates, particularly in e-commerce and e-services, mobile technologies, application development, and automation. This has allowed Rwanda to become a regional center for training high-quality ICT professionals.
For the past two decades, the government of Rwanda, currently led by President Paul Kagame, has been the most vocal proponent of incorporating information and communications technology (ICT) into the fabric of Rwandan society, and it has made concerted, ongoing efforts to improve the country’s business climate.
How to Start a Business in Rwanda
The government has made it easier to register a business in Rwanda. As a foreigner, you can start a business as soon as you arrive and register it for free.
Go to the Rwanda Development Board with an idea and a name for your business, fill out a few forms, and get a Certificate of Domestic Company Registration and a tax identification number (TIN) the same day. Your TIN and phone number need to be on all of your invoices. It’s a simple and inexpensive procedure. Once you have these items, you are ready to begin trading. Here is a list of the top Rwandan companies, including startups such as Zipline and Ampersand Electric Motorcycles.
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Zipline
Zipline is a startup that delivers medical supplies using autonomous drones. The company has the potential to decarbonize distribution, minimize traffic congestion, and cut consumption of fossil fuels and air pollution while simultaneously enabling fair access for billions of people.
It was established in 2014 to develop the first logistics system that serves all humans equally. It currently provides services to tens of millions of people worldwide and is delivering on its promise to construct a more equitable and resilient global supply chain.
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Ampersand Electric Motorcycles
Ampersand makes affordable electric cars and charging stations for the five million people who drive motorcycle taxis in East Africa. It was started in 2014 to make motorcycle transportation cleaner and more profitable than ever for its users. Going by electric means, they hope to double a driver’s income now and help Africa get to a future with no carbon emissions faster. Ampersand has cut 400 tons of CO2 emissions, driven over 7 million kilometers, and raised customers’ daily income by 41%.
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Jibu
Jibu is a company that sells drinking water. It was started in 2012 to help entrepreneurs set up affordable access to basic needs. It uses franchising to change local business opportunities, improve people’s livelihoods and health, and help people and communities in 7 countries (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, DRC, Zambia, Burundi, and Ghana) grow and thrive every day. Every month, this number goes up.
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Hence Technologies
Hence Technologies is a Kigali and London-based corporation that uses data and artificial intelligence to connect businesses with external legal service providers. Hence was established in 2020 to reimagine how businesses interact with their legal counsel. To this end, the company has developed ground-breaking software that is intended to endow General Counsels and in-house legal teams with the power of data and artificial intelligence.
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Kasha
Kasha is an online marketplace for women’s health, personal care, and beauty products in East Africa, including Rwanda and Kenya. The company was established in 2016 and was designed to function in urban and rural areas, regardless of whether users have internet access. It gives all women the power to buy the products they need to live their best lives in privacy and on a budget.
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Carisoko
Carisoko is the first car classifieds website in Rwanda, Africa. It was founded in 2016 to allow users to buy and sell used cars, motorbikes, and trucks online. These vehicles range in size from compact city cars to four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles. They include brands such as Mercedes_Benz, T Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, and Volkswagen; Carisoko does not charge a commission fee, and their service is free of charge.
Toyota Corolla, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Toyota Avensis are the most well-liked automobiles in Rwanda.
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Yubeyi.com
Yubeyi Online Shopping Ltd. was established in 2014 to cater to the needs of a retail clientele that has experienced explosive expansion since its inception.
The company sells products in various categories, such as phones, computers, home appliances, books, healthcare products, baby products, and personal care items.
It guarantees the lowest possible price, has a free-return policy that lasts for three days, has dedicated support staff for customer assistance, and offers many more premium services.
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Bongalo
Bongalo is a digital marketplace for African travel accommodations that provide tourists, businesspeople, and others traveling throughout Africa with the easiest and most reliable housing solution possible. Bongalo was founded in 2014. It started as a real estate company in Cameroon in 2017. In 2019, it moved to Rwanda, with more than 1,000 properties listed and more than 5,000 customers.
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BAG Innovation
BAG Innovation helps college students and recent graduates get the skills and experience needed to meet market needs by connecting them with employers.BAG has a system for virtual internships that helps connect the academic and business worlds.
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– OFFGRIDBOX
OffGridBoxTM is an all-in-one system that uses solar energy to clean water and distribute energy. It was started in 2016 to help people in remote areas who use generators get clean water and renewable energy. It works with Power Africa USAID, ENGIE, EEP Africa, UNP, EDP, Good Energies Foundation,DOEN Foundation, and AquaLife Foundation to help thousands of people in developing countries.
