Jackie Kanja in Rwanda
Transfair USA, (TFUSA) is an organization that enables sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable trade environment that will benefit farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the earth.
Transfair certifies and promotes fair-trade for various commodities; in Rwanda they work with four coffee unions to build business capacity and certify them so that they are guaranteed a minimum price the union should get from the International market.
What is the organization/company doing well?
Working with Coffee unions in Rwanda to build their capacity in business skills. Fair Trade certification, this guarantees’ the coffee unions a minimum price that they can get from the buyers. Higher prices mean better returns for the farmers
What are some aspects of the local cultural that should be understood when foreigners consider doing business in this country?
As one would imagine, every foreigner who comes to Rwanda, will ask the Rwandese about the Genocide. Most Rwandese are tired of talking about it to foreigners, they don’t like to be asked if they are Hutu or Tutsi. They are all Rwandese!
Foreigner should try and read about the genocide from published books or articles, and I found that after sometime, the Rwandese will open up to you and may talk about it.
What are some aspects of the local business environment (e.g. registration of company, government’s role in business, business items unique to this country) that should be understood when foreigners and locals consider doing business in this country?
I didn’t spend enough time to understand much everything about the business environment, but what I did notice was that Rwanda is very positive about the growth of the country and the people are very keen to move away from the past.
The Government is trying to foster a good environment for foreign investments. Rwanda has joined the East African Community and there is opportunity for Rwanda to trade with the East African Countries. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Rwanda is also very safe, and as a foreigner you don’t feel under threat like in some of the African countries.
On the downside, Interest rates are very high in Rwanda. There is a high demand for finance and not enough banks to lend the money. The interest rates average 20%
What were the direct and indirect results/deliverables as a result of your placement? Please be as specific as possible. Please provide both soft and hard examples. Hard examples include number of clients/people trained, dollars raised, people impacted, etc)
1. Installed and trained one of the Accountant’s on electronic cash flow statement and planning.
2. Researched Finland as a target market, identified a potential buyer, and used my network to introduce one of the coffee unions to the Buyer in Finland.
3. At the end of two months I delivered a report highlighting the challenges facing the coffee unions and recommended solutions to TFUSA. TFUSA will review the recommendations and implement solutions that they may find relevant.
Are there opportunities in this field (e.g… health, agriculture or finance) for local and international entrepreneurs?
In regards to the Coffee industry, there is potential for Rwandan Coffee in the international market. It is highly sort after, but there is not enough supply of the Coffee beans to satisfy the market. The downside is that, Rwanda is a small country, most densely populated country in Africa. Most of the land is already cultivated and inhabited. There is not much more land left for coffee production.
Why are you interested in international development and private sector development?
As a native African who has had access to good education and work experience, I felt that I could also contribute to the growth of Africa and not always wait for the West to help Africa!
Originally, why did you want to participate in this program?
I wanted to take a break from the corporate world for sometime; the program presented an opportunity where I could contribute with my time and skill and at the same time break away from the monotony and routine of everyday life
I had also been studying French prior to the program, and wanted to live a country that is French speaking and practice some spoken French.
What were your main challenges, both personally and professionally?
One of the professional challenges was that I was an ‘unusual’ candidate for the role. Most consultants sent out on these kinds of projects are mostly Caucasian. And developing countries on the other hand sometimes expect a Caucasian person to ‘know’ more than a native African. So initially I faced some rejection, and I had to get the buy in from the coffee unions.
Was the monthly stipend of $1,000US/month sufficient and how, if needed, would you change the way and what MBAs without Borders financially covers?
I found the stipend to be sufficient, I was staying at a hotel and had to eat out, but found the stipend was enough to cover for all daily costs. I think as long as Accommodation and transport for business purposes is covered, then the MBA can cover other costs from the stipend. .
What would have made this experience even better for you?
I would have liked to spend more time with the unions, understand the issues and come up with solutions with the unions. Not enough time was spent in field to get an in-depth view and analysis of the union.
What advice would you like to offer future MBAs who work abroad for MBAs without Borders?
There are the good and bad, and am sure every experience will be unique to each MBA.
I enjoyed learning and understanding more about the different cultures and people, even if I am African, I always get to learn new things about other African Cultures. Every African country will have its unique culture and way of doing things.
My advice will be to have open mind and be ready to learn new ways and things which you may like or not like. I hadn’t been involved in field work before, and my body had to adjust to being out in the field the whole day, most times without food, because you don’t want to eat from somewhere you don’t know. Helped with losing some weight!
Why would you recommend others to participate on MWB programs?
- The programs are usually short and it gives a break from the routine and monotony of corporate life
- It is satisfying when you work with the people in the community and see that they appreciate the work you are doing and it is of benefit to them and their business.
- It’s very different experience from your typical corporate life, and it allows you discover some of your personal skills and strengths that you have, which you may not necessarily realize in a corporate environment.
What are some of your goals and aspirations (i.e. job, personal, etc), that you are planning for once this placement has concluded
I am very passionate about the growth of Africa; I want to be part of this growth in a position where I can make decisions that will contribute to the empowerment and enrichment of women and children. As mentioned before I feel I am an African who has had the opportunity to good education and professional experience, and it is time that African’s helped themselves and not always wait for help from elsewhere.