Project 7

In partnership with Trócaire Rwanda, Challenges Rwanda conducted a comprehensive feasibility study to identify viable business opportunities for communities surrounding Nyungwe National Park in Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru districts. The study, part of Trócaire’s Community-Led Planning and Management for Biodiversity Protection and Resilient Communities project (co-funded by Jersey Overseas Aid), aimed to inform sustainable livelihoods, reduce dependency on forest resources, and support climate-resilient income generation.The research targeted three sectors—Kivu (Nyaruguru), Uwinkingi, and Buruhukiro (Nyamagabe)—and focused on identifying market gaps, value addition potential, cooperative and community-based enterprise models, and inclusive opportunities for women and persons with disabilities.

My Role

I supported the evaluation team in:

• Conducting market analysis and field data validation through FGDs and interviews
• Synthesizing qualitative findings into actionable business models
• Leading the development of a risk matrix, stakeholder partnership plan, and investment estimates
• Mapping alignment with Rwanda’s Vision 2050, local DDPs, and biodiversity protection goals

Key Deliverables: Final Feasibility Report, Risk Assessment Matrix, Market Opportunity Map, Viable Business Models Table

Approach

• Mixed-methods evaluation: Combined desk research, field visits, interviews, and FGDs
• Inclusive lens: Prioritized inputs from women, marginalized groups, and youth
• Opportunity mapping: Identified both low-risk and game-changing business ideas
• Environmental sustainability: Integrated circular economy and climate adaptation strategies
• Stakeholder-driven: Engaged local authorities, cooperatives, and NGOs throughout

Techniques Used: Market demand & elasticity analysis, Risk mapping & mitigation planning, SWOT analysis for sector-level opportunities, and Value chain diagnostics

Tools: Kobo Toolbox, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, participatory facilitation methods

Stakeholder Communication

• Delivered findings through interactive stakeholder meetings and community Umuganda forums
• Co-developed business models with local cooperatives and development partners
• Facilitated strategic engagement sessions with potential funders and district officials
• Identified partnership pathways with organizations like VSF, One Acre Fund, SNV, and Concern Worldwide

Artifacts Produced

• Final Feasibility Study Report 
• Table of Viable Business Opportunities (Uwinkingi, Kivu, Buruhukiro)
• Risk Matrix for Each Business Model
• Stakeholder Partnership Map
• Gender & Inclusion Opportunity Brief

Based on field data from 3 sectors and contributions from 51% women, 43% men, and 6% people with disabilities

Key Findings

• Viable Low-risk Business Opportunities:
  • Water access (boreholes, rainwater tanks)
  • Animal feed shops & agricultural input centers
  • Tailoring workshops, grinding machines, mobile money kiosks
  • Crop and animal product wholesaling (e.g., sorghum, maize, pig farming)
• Game-Changer Business Opportunities:
  • Solar-powered irrigation and electrification kits
  • Sericulture (silkworm farming) in Kitabi sector
  • Agricultural one-stop-shops for equipment rental and inputs
  • Potato-based tourism and boutique retail cooperatives
• Challenges Identified:
  • Low purchasing power and limited access to finance
  • Lack of electricity and ICT infrastructure
  • Gaps in post-harvest processing and cold chain systems
  • Weak technical and managerial skills for enterprise management
• Cross-Cutting Opportunities:
  • Climate-smart practices like worm composting
  • Cooperative-based enterprise models for scalability
  • Women-led agribusiness and processing centers
  • Leveraging secondary city market demands (e.g., Huye, Nyamagabe town)

Recommendations

• Prioritize water and energy access as enablers for other enterprises
• Support inclusive training and startup capital access, especially for women and youth
• Leverage cooperative networks and savings groups (VSLAs) to pilot community-managed models
• Forge partnerships with technical and financing institutions to bridge capacity gaps
• Design support packages for game-changing ideas like sericulture, including technical feasibility assessments and phased rollout strategies.