They started out as a small cooperative but have since transformed into a mini factory.

Bonifrida Mukantwari, from Ineza ku Murimo cooperative thanked the Government for connecting them to Business Development Fund (BDF), a Government backed entity which was established to increase access to finance for small and medium enterprises.

She said that BDF gave them Rwf5 million partly as a grant and loan.

“We have already paid it back and we hope that they will give us more money,” she said.

Solange Kayitesi, from Rwanda Cooperatives Agency (RCA), said women should not be left behind in development.

“Development is not achievable if women are not developed, a woman is a heart of the family, when she is financially developed she does not forget about the children, and the household progresses together. Kayitesi pointed out that poor leadership and financial mismanagement are the leading obstacles to many cooperatives’ progress.