A brand-new enterprise hub is set to transform the way refugees and residents in and around Rwanda’s largest refugee camp earn a living.
The Mahama Business Centre will formally open at an event on Thursday, January 16, giving people the chance to run a range of businesses in a fantastic, modern setting.
The opening event will mark a significant milestone in Practical Action’s efforts to breath life into local economies in camps around the country, and support self-reliance among refugee and host communities through renewable energy.
The Mahama Business Centre is an important part of a programme of work introduced by Practical Action, in partnership with refugees and communities living near camps throughout Rwanda.
The project, known as Renewable Energy for Refugees, showcases the power of modern energy to boost job opportunities. It works with existing local businesses to help more than 113,000 refugees and 34,000 local community members access reliable energy to power businesses, ensuring they have access to reliable grid-connected electricity, enabling them to expand their operations, improve profitability, and create jobs.
Transforming Lives through Energy Access
The Mahama Business Centre is one of three newly established grid-connected business centres across Rwanda’s refugee camps under the Renewable Energy For Refugees initiative. These centres are designed to support 300 entrepreneurs, providing them with access to energy-powered appliances, safe workspaces, and business development services. The initiative also emphasizes gender and disability inclusion, ensuring all community members can benefit from these opportunities.
