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The Oxfam
Enterprise
Development
Programme
SUPPORTING PEOPLE TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES WHICH LIFT
THOUSANDS OF THE WORLD’S POOREST FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY
“This business has
changed my life.”
Madeleine, 40, is part of the Shekina Enterprise
in Rwanda, that dries, processes and sells
cassava leaves.
Photo: Eleanor Farmer
2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT
2
Letter from Fabian / Intro to EDP
ABOUT EDP
Oxfam has more than 70 years’ experience
working with the world’s poorest people.
Time and again these people tell us that
what they need – more than anything
else – is a stable income so they can
provide the basics for their families.
The World Bank says the most effective
way to reduce extreme poverty in remote
rural areas, where most of the world’s
poor live, is to create successful,
sustainable small and medium sized
businesses.
A big business has access to bank loans.
A small business can access micro-
finance. In the middle of these two
extremes almost no support is available,
and too many families continue to suffer
as a result.
Oxfam’s Enterprise Development
Programme is helping to fill this gap,
investing money donated by UK
entrepreneurs, philanthropists and
partners to help promising businesses
grow, providing a tailored package of
loans, grants or bank-guarantees
combined with expert advice, guidance
and training.
The jobs and associated opportunities
created from growing sustainable
businesses have the power to lift
thousands of the world’s poorest families
out of poverty.
By investing in business, we are
transforming lives.
The board
Rajesh Agrawal, Board Chair
Gavin Stewart, Chair of Investment Committee
Mahnaz Safa, Member
Stuart Sweeney, Member
Ursula van Almsick, Member
3
This report reflects on 2015/16, and the success and challenges faced
when working with enterprises in some of the most difficult environments
around the world. It has been a year of significant and exciting change for
the Enterprise Development Programme (EDP).
We were delighted to welcome Rajesh Agrawal, founder of London-based
foreign exchange company RationalFX and Deputy Mayor of London for
Business as Chair of the EDP Board.
In our five focus countries - Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Honduras, Nepal and
Rwanda - we have been concentrating on strengthening our strategies and
staffing. We are excited to welcome Shafiqur Khan as the new EDP lead in
Bangladesh and Prakash Subedi as the EDP lead in Nepal.
A special emphasis was also placed on identifying new business
opportunities. Of over 100 enterprises identified we submitted eight
proposals to our Investment Committee who approved two: CREPAIMASUL in
Honduras (p. 11) and Tuzamurane in Rwanda (p. 14).
In terms of portfolio performance we reached a significant milestone with
the combined revenues of our 14 enterprises growing by 26% to surpass
£1 million.
Climate change continues to be a strong risk factor for the businesses we
support. This year the El Niño phenomenon has significantly affected
production for at least two of our portfolio enterprises.
However, EDP continues to benefit thousands of people directly, through
businesses and their supply chains. We have also seen progress on the
social impact achieved. Notably, our portfolio enterprises have almost
tripled the number of jobs supported, reaching 145 full-time equivalent jobs
in 2016. Of these, 52% are filled by women compared to 20% three years
ago. Women’s participation has also increased at farmer and leadership
levels.
As we enter the second year in EDP’s phase two, I look forward to working
with new and existing partners to achieve the ambitious goals we have set
for EDP. It is a unique initiative with a strong role to play in the local
business ecosystems where we work.
Fabian Llinares
EDP Manager
MANAGER’s REVIEW
“
We reached a
significant
milestone with the
combined revenues
of our 14
enterprises growing
by 26%, to surpass
£1M.
“
4
HIGHLIGHTS 2015/16
Total combined sales of all EDP
enterprises amounted to £1,106,000 in
2015/16 - 26% higher than the year
before
Total enterprise revenues have tripled
since joining EDP between two and six
years ago.
* All figures are for the 14 enterprises in the
portfolio.
PORTFOLIO REVENUES
PORTFOLIO STATUS
Enterprise /
Status
2015/16 trend
and highlights
Enterprise /
Status
2015/16 trend
and highlights
Rwanda / cassava
Shekina
Sales up 104% and
profitable since 2015
Honduras / cashew
CREPAIMASUL
New Secured export
contracts for 2016
Tanzania / sisal
Shinyanga Processors
Replicated from 5 to 50
enterprises since 2012.
Honduras / vegetables
APROALCE
= Drought reduced production
Nepal / rice
Nawalparasi
Sales up by 69% on
previous year
Ethiopia / honey
Zembaba
= Beehive workshop
expanding slowly
Ethiopia / food oil
Assosa
Sales up by 58%; profitable
since 2015
Nepal / seeds
Pavitra
= Modest sales, but new plant
now in operation
Nepal / vegetables
DAFACOS
Sales up 65%, started
vegetables trading unit
Armenia / fruit cannery
Mirg
= In advanced negotiation
with new buyer in Russia
Bolivia / cocoa
APARAB
Sales tripled, though risk
that next harvest is poor
Honduras / vegetables
CAEOL
Phasing out as margins too
low
Rwanda/pineapple
Tuzamurane
New Stepped up export sales
of dried pineapple
Bangladesh / chillies
CTE-Fulchari
Phasing out as margins too
low
EDP LOAN FUND
36% of the total £1.1m
disbursed in loans has now
been recovered to be
reinvested in the portfolio
The average EDP loan is
£60,000—commercial investors
typically only consider
investing upwards of £250,000
49% of disbursed loan funds
were used for equipment and
infrastructure, 51% were used
for working capital
EDP FUNDING
£4m disbursed to support EDP
enterprises, with further £0.3m
to be disbursed imminently
£1.1m raised from supporters
since 2015 towards £6m target
for period 2015-2019
First meeting of new
EDP Board took place in June
2016
* Green indicates that the enterprise is performing very well, orange indicates that the enterprise has needs to address, and red indicates that
there is cause for concern. Sales increased = Sales level Sales decreased
£348,000
£606,000
£880,000
£1,106,000
£0
£200,000
£400,000
£600,000
£800,000
£1,000,000
£1,200,000
Before EDP 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16
5
HIGHLIGHTS 2015/16
PIPELINE DEVELOPMENT IN 2015/16
100+ businesses
identified
50 businesses
visited & reviewed
8 submissions to
Investment
Committee
2 approved
in 2015/16
IMPACT
Nearly 29,000 farmers have
benefitted so far from the
support of EDP
About 41% of them are women
Women also represent 52% of
the 145 full-time equivalent
jobs supported
By 2020, our aim is that 249,000
of the world’s poorest people
will have directly benefited
through EDP enterprises
EDP TEAM
Fabian Llinares, who has led
EDP in Latin America for the last
four years, has taken over from
Hugo Sintes as EDP Manager. An
engineer by training, he had
previously worked as a Director
of an accelerator of social
enterprises in Mexico.
Shafique Khan joined Oxfam in
May 2016 to lead EDP in
Bangladesh. He brings a wealth
of experience in the banking
sector having been Chief
Operating Officer, and Head of
Small and Medium Enterprise
finance for various small
financial institutions.
Prakash Subedi joined Oxfam
in July 2016 to lead EDP in
Nepal. He has held various
enterprise advisory positions
including as EDP Officer in 2012
as part of a maternity cover. He
holds an MBA and has also
founded a successful animal
feed business.
It’s important that businesses fulfil a number of our carefully selected criteria to ensure they have
maximum social impact. We therefore have a rigorous review and selection process to choose only
the very best opportunities to make a difference.
6
bangladesh
Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries, and one of the most vulnerable to
climate change. With a long history in providing microfinance, the country is now trying to develop
strong agricultural, and small and medium enterprise (SME) sectors.
Oxfam has long had a strong livelihoods programme in the country, with activities in enterprise
development, agriculture, women’s empowerment and climate change adaption.
ENTERPRISES
CTE-FULCHARI produce: CHilli
BACKGROUND
EDP made its first investment in Bangladesh in 2013, to CTE-Fulchari (Chilli Traders Enterprise of
Fulchari), based in Gaibandha in the Rangpur Division of Northern Bangladesh.
Updates
Farmers now have various channels to market, including through this enterprise. Chilli production
remains very attractive for thousands of them, and many women joined production and adopted
more profitable and sustainable practices thanks to EDP.
The enterprise trades chillies but unfortunately struggled to reach scale in a market with
increasing competition from cheaper imports. Oxfam is concluding negotiations with CTE-Fulchari
and local partners so that EDP can phase out our investment. The new plan will see the enterprise
continue to operate at lower scale and with a smaller management team, while it explores
partnerships with more experienced traders.
Oxfam’s financial intermediary has also agreed to continue providing finance to farmers and the
enterprise after Oxfam’s cash guarantee ends and Oxfam recovers the loan portion of our
investment.
PIPELINE
In the meantime Oxfam has worked with various other small enterprises, and is planning for its next
investment in 2016. Over 40 businesses were identified, some of which are listed below, and these will
pass through rigorous checks to determine if they should enter the EDP portfolio:
Enterprise Description Status
Two potato
businesses
Two enterprises, with £30,000 and £100,000
turnover, supplying to booming potato
industry
Businesses first reviewed in 2016, submission to
follow in October 2016.
Door-to-door
distributor
Food company introducing door-to-door
delivery of fresh products As above.
Basil tea processor Enterprise sources basil from women farmers
to make tea
Investment Committee approved support to
improve financial records and manufacturing
process, but no further investments approved.
Fruit bag distributor
Enterprise sells paper bags which farmers use
to cover fruits on trees as alternative to
pesticides
Submitted to the Investment Committee (IC) in
2016. After further discussions on matters
including marketing, management etc the IC felt
the enterprise did not fit EDP’s criteria.
Bakery products Social enterprise producing biscuits and other
products, reinvests profits in the community
Initial conversations on business plan and needs
has been begun.
7
bangladesh
‘Since we’ve been growing chillies we’ve been suffering less during the flood. We sell them
and we can save money - that money I can use to spend on food and clothes for my children,
and also on school for my daughter’.
Joygun Islam is a member of the chilli producer group, and has been receiving training from
Oxfam on growing and selling chillies.
Since training she has noticed a big change and has more confidence and self belief. She is
proud of her bright red chillies. For her, they signify a huge change in her life over the last
three years.
Photo: Abir Abdullah/Oxfam
8
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia is a large country, with amazing richness and positive economic growth. However this is
combined with recurrent cases of food insecurity; in 2015 it was hit by a prolonged drought, in part due
to the El Niño weather phenomenon, the devastating effects of which have stretched into 2016.
Oxfam was one of the first non-governmental organisations to work in Ethiopia, and works primarily in
the Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions.
ENTERPRISES
ASSOSA produce: food oil
BACKGROUND
EDP’s first (and largest) investment in Ethiopia was in Assosa, a federation of co-operatives based
700km west of Addis Ababa which trades oilseed crops, and set up a small factory to produce edible oil.
Updates
Assosa’s sales in the previous nine months to June 2016 amounted to £258,000, a record for the
company, and 58% higher than the previous 12 months on record for 2014/15. The company has
been profitable for two consecutive seasons and is using its moderate profits to prepare for
further growth. This was the first factory in this poor area of Ethiopia, on the border with Sudan,
and today it’s a strong symbol for farmers, students and authorities of what economic
development can be.
While continuing to trade seeds, including soybeans (which have been recently sold to the
Ethiopian government as part of the humanitarian response), the enterprise processes niger seeds
into oil; but sales were lower in the last period due to operational problems. Thanks to a small
donation coming from Switzerland, the enterprise will be able to replace the oil pressing machine.
Farmers in this area are some of the poorest in EDP (at 50 pence/day in 2010), and those involved
with Assosa have significantly benefited from higher yields and prices (up 40% and 200%
respectively since 2010). One third of Assosa’s 13,000 members are also women, a significant
increase from 6% in 2009. The enterprise has also created 12 full-time equivalent jobs, seven of
which are held by women, and helped organise 22 women’s savings groups.
Bayush Kassan (left) and Belaynesh
Hussen with a machine at the
Assosa Edible Oil Processing
Facility, part of the Assosa Farmers
Multipurpose Co-operative Union.
Bayush (37) lives in the village of
Amba Sebat, 20km from the town of
Assosa, with her daughter Genet
and son Destaw. She grows sesame
and other oil-seeds and her village
co-operative is part of the Assosa
Farmers Multipurpose Co-operative
Union. The Union buys Bayush's
seed for almost double the average
price paid to her by private traders.
Ph
oto
: T
om
Pie
tra
sik
9
ETHIOPIA
ZEMBABA produce: HONEY
BACKGROUND
In 2010, EDP made an investment in Zembaba, based 550km north of Addis Ababa, in Bahir Dar, to help
the co-operative set up a workshop to produce beehives.
Updates
Zembaba continues to expand the carpentry workshop which manufactures beehives for local
beekeepers, reaching 300 beehives per month in the first months of 2016. The enterprise is in
need of more working capital to continue expanding and Oxfam started negotiations with the
Credit Union that lends alongside Oxfam to explore ways of releasing extra finance.
Zembaba has also diversified into other activities, including the export of honey to Europe. This
proved to be a very lengthy process with the need to acquire various permits and certifications. It
also bought refining equipment and honey containers which were imported from South Africa. If
the first order sells successfully, there is strong demand for its honey.
The number of farmers involved in Zembaba continues to increase and is close to 6,000. Beehives
are manufactured to significantly improve yields and create an opportunity for women, who find it
difficult to operate traditional beehives. The enterprise also supports 15 jobs, six of which are held
by women.
PIPELINE
While we work with current enterprises to fully establish them, we are not proactively seeking new
investments in the short term. We plan to support a small number of new enterprises in the future.
Women from the village of Mecha,
dressed in protective clothing,
during a workshop at the
Ambrosia beekeeping
demonstration and training centre
in Mecha.
The formation of the Zembaba Bee
Products Development and
Marketing Co-operative Union is
an attempt to realise the
potential of honey production and
ensure that the benefits reach
small producers. By providing
modern, high-yield hives,
protective equipment and training
to beekeepers, the Co-operative
Union helps increase production,
boost farmer’s income, and
secure a steady supply of honey
for which there is growing
demand both in and beyond
Ethiopia. Photo: Tom Pietrasik
10
HONDURAs
Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, and sadly one of most violent. Oxfam has
strong links with a number of banks and government programmes, which look at EDP as one of the few
models with a diverse set of financial and non-financial services, as well as a strong emphasis on
commercial viability.
With the newest investments, Oxfam is trying to work with enterprises which support poor people in rural
areas, and in particular women, which are particularly innovative and more resilient to unreliable weather
patterns.
ENTERPRISES
APROALCE produce: fruit and vegetables
BACKGROUND
EDP’s first investment in Honduras was in 2009 in the Asociación de Productores del Altiplano de Celaque
(APROALCE), a local co-operative that trades fruit and vegetables. APROALCE has seen a massive
increase in sales of vegetables in their time with EDP, going from £7,000 in 2009 to £124,000 in 2012.
Updates
In the last three years the enterprise failed to maintain its previous level of sales (sales were
£91,000 in 2015), partly due to changes in weather patterns which have reduced production.
The enterprise has an experienced Board and a strong management team, and Oxfam has helped
them access additional support from a government programme which will enable more farmers to
set up irrigation schemes. This, together with stronger marketing efforts, should allow the
enterprise to restore sales levels and recover profitability (the enterprise relied on grants of about
10% of revenues last year to run operations).
“When I joined I was only growing lettuce
but since then I have learnt how to
diversify my crop. I know how the markets
work and what kind of produce they want.
The training has also taught us how to
pack our goods properly so when they
arrive at the city they’re still high quality.
“I work with my family, so what we have
learnt has helped all of us. Because
of APROALCE and EDP, I am able to have my
own land that I can work and grow on, I
can afford to maintain my vehicle. I am
also very proud that I have been able to
send my son to study.”
Adrian de Dios is a farmer, and member
of APROALCE. He produces lettuce,
cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli.
Ph
oto
: E
lea
no
r F
arm
er
11
HONDURAS
CREPAIMASUL produce: cashew nuts
BACKGROUND
In 2015, with support from Fundación para el Desarrollo Empresarial Rural (FUNDER), Oxfam approved an
investment in Cooperativa Regional de Productores Agroindustriales de Marañón del Sur Limitada
(CREPAIMASUL). CREPAIMASUL works in the dry department of Choluteca, in the Corredor Seco, but has
specialised in cashew nuts, recommended by the government and experts as a suitable crop in such dry
climates.
Updates
The enterprise had sales of £36,000 in 2015 and is expecting a significant increase in its first year
with EDP. The priority has been to improve the manufacturing processes, and sign contracts with
buyers, including in Germany. The business also needs to recruit a new manager, though it is
difficult to attract experienced people who are keen to move to this remote area for a reasonable
salary. In the meantime Oxfam is assisting the production manager with marketing and financial
management functions.
The enterprise supports 30 staff on the plant, 25 of whom are women. Women also make up 30% of
the Board members. The number of farmers is planned to grow from 180 last year to over 300
this year.
CAEOL produce: vegetables
Updates
In 2014, Oxfam approved a second investment in the Coperativa Agricola Esfuerzo Occidental
Limitada (CAEOL), which also specialises in vegetables. However, this was phased out after the
pilot phase showed competition was higher than expected and margins too low.
PIPELINE
Oxfam is working with local partners to identify new socially inclusive and innovative businesses for
Honduras. First is an entrepreneur-led honey business with a successful product range which will be
reviewed by the Investment Committee in October 2016.
“I am Vice President of the co-operative. As
the Vice President, I have to keep control of all
the things that the other members do.
“Cashews have raised me. Before, when
middlemen used to come, they used to pay
L.75 per sack. And now, we sell the sack at
L.650. You can see the difference there.
“To make it through, make the co-operative
bigger - that is what we need. My dream for the
co-operative is to make it grow more to have
more profit.”
Rebecca, 56
Cashew Farmer and Vice President of
CREPAIMASUL Co-operative Photo: Eleanor Farmer
12
NEPAL
Nepal is one of the world’s poorest countries. Agriculture is essential to the economy and 80% of it
depends on the labour of women; however women only own 19% of the land. Oxfam is one of the few
organisations working in private sector development, particularly in the mid-west and far western
regions.
In April 2015, Nepal suffered a major earthquake that left nearly 9,000 people dead and destroyed more
than 850,000 homes. While EDP’s enterprises were unharmed, overall trade has suffered. This was made
worse by ongoing political unrest, causing strikes and road blockades.
ENTERPRISES
PAVITRA produce: vegetable seeds
BACKGROUND
Pavitra (Pavitra Jankalyan Agriculture Co-operative) was set up in 2001 in Surkhet, mid-west Nepal,
400km from Kathmandu. It was Oxfam’s first investment in Nepal and has since achieved many
milestones, being the first such co-operative to supply to large manufacturers, and the first to join the
regional Chamber of Commerce and receive a loan by a private bank.
Updates
This year, Pavitra became the first co-operative to process seeds and sell them in small packets
with the company’s brand. This was largely thanks to the leadership of chair Mr. Naulsingh Khatri
and the other farmers on the Board.
The enterprise achieved £32,000 of sales in the year to March 2016 and has plans to grow by 50%
in the coming year, focusing on processed seeds, which offer higher margins. Seven metric tons
have already been contracted with local retailers. The enterprise should break even in 2017. In the
meantime, Kumari Bank, Oxfam’s partner, agreed to maintain the lending facility to the enterprise,
meaning Oxfam could recover 95% of our deposit, as per the initial agreement.
The enterprise has grown from two to seven full-time jobs, and sources from 1,340 farmers (74%
women), up from 216 (47% women) in 2011.
DAFACOS produce: vegetables and vegetable seeds
BACKGROUND
Dadeldhura Farmers’ Co-operative Society (DAFACOS) is based in Dadeldhura district, one of Nepal’s most
remote regions 500km west of Kathmandu. The area’s high altitude (400-2,500m), along with its good
soil and rainfall conditions, offers the potential to grow seeds as well as off-season vegetables, which
are in high demand in lowland markets. The enterprise was established in 1998 and joined the EDP
portfolio in 2012.
Updates
In the twelve months running to March 2016, the enterprise achieved record sales of £81,000 and
is now very close to breaking even. In the last year, the enterprise successfully introduced sales of
vegetables to complement seed trading. However, this was slower than predicted, as strikes and
road blockades slowed operations across the country.
The enterprise has grown its membership to 997 farmers (50% women) - up from 600 - and is
supporting seven full-time equivalent jobs, up from just one at the start of EDP’s intervention.
13
NEPAL
NAWALPARASI produce: RICE
BACKGROUND
The Small Farmer Food Industries rice mill in Nawalparasi (NAWALPARASI) is Oxfam’s latest investment in
the country (2014) and is located in the lowlands of central Nepal, 249km from Kathmandu. The area has
huge potential for commercial rice production but farmers have found it hard to produce beyond
subsistence levels due to limited access to quality seeds, appropriate technology, fertilisers and market
facilities.
Updates
Since 2013, the mill has grown massively from £60,000 at the start to £202,000 sales in the year
ending September 2015. The enterprise has built strong partnerships, is now selling to 34
customers in 12 districts and has written agreements with four buyers. Oxfam and the enterprise
have agreed to launch a survey to identify new buyers and help adjust the marketing strategy to
further improve margins.
In addition to the mill, Oxfam is helping three smaller enterprises, or ‘one-window shops’, which
sell seeds and tools to farmers. These only started in 2015 and already achieved joint sales of
£53,000 last year. As many as 3,375 farmers have joined the co-operative network and 88% of the
active suppliers of rice are women.
PIPELINE
Oxfam is identifying new potential enterprises in Nepal and started a partnership with business
incubator Rockstart to identify and build the capacity of new enterprises.
“I used to produce 500-700kg of maize. I used to sell the surplus in the local market and earned
around NPR 2,000 per season. Nowadays I produce around 1.5 tonnes of maize seed from the same
land, and save around NPR 30,000 per season. DAFACOS has been providing me quality seeds at a
reasonable price at the right time along with business development support and market linkages.
All this has helped me double my production and get a good market price.”
Uma Koli, farmer and member of DAFACOS
Photo: Swikriti Sharma
14
RWANDA
Rwanda is a small, landlocked country, with a population of 12 million people. Over twenty years since
the appalling 1994 genocide, the economy is now growing at 7% a year. The government is very
supportive of private sector development and new models of support are emerging.
Oxfam is prioritising businesses in the food sector that help women and young people.
ENTERPRISES
SHEKINA produce: cassava leaves
BACKGROUND
Oxfam began supporting Shekina - which works with cassava leaves, a key product for locals and the
diaspora - in 2014. It is led by local food entrepreneur Damien Mbatezimana. The enterprise sources
cassava leaves from local women, now organised with support from Oxfam into local collection centres.
The leaves are then dried and packaged into various final products for consumption in Kigali, European
and now US markets.
Updates
The enterprise reached £121,000 sales in the calendar year 2015, double the sales of the previous
year. Damien has laid the foundations to keep the enterprise growing, including the formation of a
strong professional team. Recently, Oxfam and our partner GT Bank have advanced negotiations
with the enterprise to provide further working capital to support the expansion.
The enterprise supports 26 jobs in the plant (20 of them are women), as well as an estimated 50
jobs in the collections centres. These are run by local women, who have recently received support
in financial management. One of the centres has also decided to focus on creating jobs for young
unemployed women.
The enterprise is working with 1,200 women farmers, up from 1,000 last year. Farmers that sell into
Shekina are now being paid using mobile phone, which makes cash readily available. Damien is
extremely committed to making his business inclusive and empowering of women, and Shekina is
a model for others in the country.
TUZAMURANE produce: pineapple
BACKGROUND
Tuzamurane is a local co-operative that grows organic pineapple, which was set up by a local NGO and a
group of committed farmers. EDP invested in Tuzamurane in 2015. After receiving some initial support to
build a plant, Oxfam has helped the business review its operations and improve management capacity.
The enterprise upgraded its facilities to obtain a certification called HACCP, and has appointed a new
competent accountant.
Updates
In the last part of 2015 and the first few months of 2016, the enterprise continued to sell both
fresh pineapple and organic dehydrated pineapple for export (the first Rwandan company to do
so). The contracts secured will enable it to continue growing from the £22,000 total revenues in
2015.
The enterprise now employs seven people and also provides additional work in other areas of the
business. From 130 farmers involved at the start, there will be 300 by 2018. Another 16 farmers are
being helped to acquire organic certification so that they can help expand exports.
15
RWANDA
PIPELINE
Oxfam has continued to work with local partners and enterprises to develop a strong pipeline of future
investments. At present, the most advanced prospect is a local soybean processor which sources from
local farmers to produce soy-based flours and drinks.
“I used to see young ladies taking cassava leaves to the market, and since they did not have
anybody to buy their produce, they started to throw them away, and I said, ‘it is a pity!’ That is
what motivated me to make a cassava leaves drying machine. After drying it, I found out that a
dish of dried cassava leaves tastes the same as the fresh cassava leaves once they are cooked. I
therefore realised that this could be commercialised because it can be conserved for a long period
of time.
“The best business advice I have had from other people is to do something with full commitment
and with a target. This helps you achieve your goals. However, you cannot achieve unless you have
people you work together with: people who help you. That is why in my business, I want to inspire
other people to work together, so they can achieve and together we can achieve our goals. We
want this to be the leading food processing factory in Rwanda.”
Damien Mbatezimana, entrepreneur and owner of Shekina Enterprises
Photo: Eleanor Farmer