In a significant move towards bolstering Rwanda’s employment landscape, the German government has unveiled plans to create more than 1,000 jobs within the country’s health and nutrition sectors. The announcement came through the signing of two grant agreements, facilitated by the Facility Investing for Employment (IFE), on behalf of KfW Development Bank and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The signing ceremony, held at the residence of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Rwanda, marked a pivotal moment in Rwanda’s journey towards economic empowerment and social development.
One of the grants, amounting to EUR 1.1 million, has been allocated to Solid’Africa, a local social enterprise, for the establishment of an Institute for Culinary Arts and Nutrition (ICAN). This funding will support the construction of a vocational training center aimed at equipping chefs and kitchen staff with the necessary skills to cater to the nutritional needs of low-income patients in hospitals and the wider private sector, including hospitality.
Solid’ Africa, known for producing approximately 9,000 free meals daily for hospital patients alongside selling over 4,000 meals to private customers, will utilize the grant to expand its operations and create more than 850 jobs, thus furthering its impact on both the social and economic fronts.
The second grant, totaling 1.53 million EUR, has been awarded to the Society for Family Health (SFH), focusing on job creation within the health sector. SFH plans to utilize the funding to establish new health posts and enhance the capacity of healthcare workers to deliver high-quality services in remote areas. This initiative not only addresses the pressing need for accessible healthcare services but also aims to generate employment opportunities, particularly in underserved regions.
Steffen Kuhl, the Managing Director of IFE, emphasized the significance of these projects in promoting a just transition towards sustainable development. “Solid’ Africa is a commendable example of a social enterprise, effectively combining business objectives with social impact. The creation of over 850 jobs underscores the importance of such initiatives in fostering inclusive growth,” he remarked.
Nassir Katuramu, CEO of Solid’ Africa, expressed gratitude for the partnership, highlighting its timeliness amidst the organization’s efforts to scale up its feeding program nationally. “This partnership comes at a crucial juncture as we expand our feeding program to reach more district hospitals across the country,” he stated.
Both grantees are committed to contributing towards the successful implementation of their respective projects, with IFE’s funding covering a significant portion of the total costs. The remaining portion will be covered by the grantees, emphasizing a collaborative approach towards achieving sustainable impact.
The Facility Investing for Employment (IFE) serves as a pivotal investment mechanism aimed at fostering job creation and economic empowerment in partner countries across Africa. Through initiatives like “Invest for Jobs,” IFE seeks to remove investment barriers and promote the creation of new and better employment opportunities, thus driving sustainable development and socio-economic progress.
With these grants, the German government reaffirms its commitment to supporting Rwanda’s development agenda and fostering partnerships that pave the way for inclusive growth and prosperity.
