Expression of Interest: Empowering of female agro-business entrepreneurs in Rwanda.
Brief description of the Business Scouts for Development Program (BSfD) of GIZ
Cooperation with the private sector within the framework of German development cooperation is the main objective of BSfD. Therefore, BSfD aims to design and establish new approaches to cooperation with local and German/European companies. Ideally, these measures would have an impact on the consolidation and development of local businesses and the creation of new jobs. To achieve its objectives, BSfD provides information and facilitates exchanges of contacts, builds networks and knowledge platforms, and supports the development of ideas and the implementation of projects and investments.

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The project “Empowering of female agro-business entrepreneurs in Rwanda”
The major role that women play in the African economy is no longer in question. According to an OECD study, women represent 70% of the agricultural force and produce 90% of foodstuffs, while the World Bank estimates that the rate of female entrepreneurship is higher in Africa than in any other region of the world. In Rwanda, about 32,5% of those working for their own account are women. Studies by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) show that women's entrepreneurship development has a significant positive impact on household poverty reduction. Paradoxically, African women remain the main victims of poverty. This can be explained by the fact that their work is underpaid and often depends on the informal sector. Indeed, women's work in sub-Saharan Africa is concentrated in low value-added activities (agriculture, trade) and under dependent statuses (family helpers). Their contribution to national wealth has always remained low and their invisibility high, due to their informal activities in which African women are often dominant.

As part of an agile response to the challenges female entrepreneurs are facing it is envisaged to award several targeted technical assistance and coaching contracts for about 10 - 15 entrepreneurs in agriculture or food processing with high entrepreneurial growth potential (especially with regard to employment creation).

We are looking for companies being interested to take part in the program. The main objectives of the program are to train and coach approximately 15 entrepreneurs with high potential for entrepreneurial growth (and job creation), support the development of business growth and investment plans and preparing entrepreneurs for the search for adequate financing ("pitching").

Eligible companies are those that
• have a minimum of 2-3 years of existence/operation,
• have a promising business model and work in the sectors defined below,
• are founded, owned and/or managed by women or employing a majority of women (>80%).

Production / Processing of food products:
1. Cocoa/coffee products (including chocolate and other derivatives of this raw material)
2. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other products derived from fruit, nuts and vegetables
3. Spices, condiments and their derivatives
4. Snacks and other food products made from plant raw materials
5. Others, but related to processing of food
Please refer to the criteria above and send your application until Friday, June 10th via email michael.kleinbub@giz.de