This project empowers women street vendors in Kigali to transition into structured market stalls through small, low-interest loans (50 000-200 000 Frw) and financial training. In partnership with RISE-RWANDA Ltd, we consult market leaders to identify Ikimina groups, disburse loans at 10% interest over one year, and provide budgeting, pricing, and business-management workshops-fostering stable incomes and sustainable enterprises.
Many single-mother vendors must navigate daily fines ($10) for street selling and face harassment and unstable incomes. Without access to capital or formal markets, they can't scale beyond carrying small baskets of produce. Limited business skills and high operating costs trap them in precarious livelihoods, undermining their families' well-being and economic independence.
By offering small loans (50 000-200 000 Frw) and tailored training to Ikimina groups, vendors can secure market stalls, purchase larger stock, and manage cash flow. Weekly repayment schedules and monthly mentorship build accountability and financial literacy. This dual approach replaces fines and precarity with stable stall income, better pricing strategies, and a clear path to business growth.
As women leverage loans to stabilize and grow their market businesses, they'll increase earnings, repay loans reliably, and reinvest profits. Over time, groups can rotate larger savings, reduce reliance on high-cost street vending, and create local employment. This model amplifies empowerment-transforming individual vendors into community leaders who drive Kigali's inclusive economic development.
