I get encouraged by the increasingly growing interest in
investing in entrepreneurs. However, the question that comes to my mind is "Are
the growing number of enterprises an indication that the world’s problems are finally getting
lasting and sustainable solutions?" I am not sure, but let’s keep our eyes to the
ground.
In Kigali, Rwanda yesterday, the Minister of Commerce and Industry hosted a two-day workshop titled "Growing
SME’s" The workshop has
been organized by BidNetWork (www.bidnetwork.org),
in collaboration with JCI Rwanda. I managed to follow the workshop online as there seemed
to be interesting sessions on topics such as "Impact investing, not just about the 'buck'", agribusiness financing, and business financing through value chain.
My take away is that while there is a lot of growing interest in
entrepreneurship and great entrepreneurs out there, there is still a lot to be desired in the type of vision of many of these new entrepreneurs. As
entrepreneurs, we must have a clear vision of where we want our businesses to be (like
Eric Kacou said’ vision has to be as clear as the Virunga mountains, for those
of you who have had a chance to visit the Rwanda Mountain Goriilas), so we do not lose track along the way and fail. When we lose vision, we also are not able to
get funders on board with us. I think
most entrepreneurs worry about the following: time, money, management and procedures. However, I think we need to get out of the survival trap.
Julian Kayibanda
SHE, Chief of Operations
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