The overall objective of the scheme

The overall objective of the scheme is to cultivate an entrepreneurial culture in Rwandans, encouraging self-employment and the growth of a local business class through capacity building. This is achieved by providing various business support services to MSMEs, including project design and planning, market research, access to finance, advisory services in compliance and technology upgrading, financial management, tax advisory, and sales and inventory management. Additionally, the program facilitates linkages between financial institutions and clients and provides technical assistance to business promoters to successfully implement their businesses and equip them with entrepreneurial skills.

Targeted groups 

• Start-up enterprises; and growing Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises generating income and employment. 

• Enterprises (with high growth potential for job creation) which need access to domestic and international markets and link to global value chains.

Selection criteria for new Business Development Advisors During the selection exercise of new Business Development Advisors  

• Be a resident in the sector where business advisory services will be performed. 

• Have a minimum of Senior Six Certificate in any field with experience in Business activities. 

• Proven entrepreneurship skills, including experience in running a business.

Services offered by Business Development Advisors (BDAs)  

• Training in start-up business management and use of financial services. 

• Coaching in business plan writing and linking bankable business plans to financial institutions.  

• Coaching, mentoring, and providing business Management advisory services, e.g., accounting and bookkeeping, taxation, human resource management, cash flow management, marketing etc.

Business Development Advisors’ Payment modalities 

Business Development Advisors (BDAs) coach and mentor small entrepreneurs and are paid through a voucher system for the services they deliver to MSMEs. The value of each voucher is RWF 10,000. The beneficiary of the BDA services will pay 60%, while the remaining 40% will be subsidized by the program's budget. A BDA will be paid only for two (2) vouchers rendered, and full payment (100%) should be made after the business proposal has accessed finance (i.e., after the project loan is approved by the financial institution and finance has been accessed). The beneficiary must pay their contribution of RWF 12,000 (60%) to the SACCO account before the full payment of RWF 20,000 is made to the BDA who coached them.

Eligibility criteria for a business to benefit from business advisory services.

 The BDA scheme beneficiary should be the owner of an income generating project, or eligible for a bank loan from a financial institution.