BPN Rwanda

25/09/2026

This week, our Country Director Alice Nkulikiyinka paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Trade and Industry Ministry of Trade and Industry

The discussions focused on Rwanda’s SME landscape, the opportunities and constraints facing growth-oriented businesses, and the importance of strengthening collaboration to advance sustainable entrepreneurship and private-sector growth.

BPN Rwanda remains committed to contributing its experience and insights from 15 years of supporting entrepreneurs in .

Ministry of Trade and Industry

27/05/2026

Happy Eid Al Adha to all muslims.
May this special day bring joy, peace and blessings to you and your loved ones.

30/04/2026

through the lens of hashtag SMEs – Visit to , a Swiss timber industry and timber construction company based in Gossau (St. Gallen)

Blumer Lehmann is a world-class timber engineering and construction company. An owner-operated family business that belongs to the broader Lehmann family group, with more than 600 employees (recent 30% workforce growth)

What emerged from this visit was not just an appreciation of technical excellence, but a deeper understanding of how systems, innovation, and hashtagmindset drive scale.

“At Blumer Lehmann, I experienced a masterclass in scale versus efficiency. It was a revelation to see a company with a 150-year legacy that remained lean for over a century, maintaining just 100 employees, before strategically expanding to 630 in only ten years. This proved to me that a brand’s strength isn’t dictated by the size of its workforce, but by the strength of its systems.

Three key lessons emerged from this visit:

1️⃣The Power of Automation: “I was stunned to see an entire production line managed by only eight people. It redefined my understanding of how manpower can be optimized through technology.”

2️⃣Embracing the Impossible: The culture there is built on pushing toward ‘impossible’ tasks and figuring out the mechanics along the way.

3️⃣Challenging the Status Quo: The most vital lesson was to never limit creativity to what has been done before. To lead, you must push boundaries and ignore the existing ‘ceiling’ of your industry.

“This reshaped how I view growth and innovation. I’ve returned with a new perspective: Grow systematically, innovate fearlessly, and tell a story so compelling that the world forgets there are other options.” – Planté Josué, founder

Key takeaway:
Strong systems, not size, define scalable businesses.

Tourism Entrepreneurship Construction

29/04/2026

28/04/2026

is a small, landlocked country with no natural resources. Around 60% of its territory is covered by mountains (the Alps). A country of breathtaking beauty, where cows graze peacefully amid its iconic landscapes. A Twin country to   

Rwanda’s twin country (Switzerland) consistently ranks among the world’s top in  ,  , innovation & competitiveness, driving export, job creation, and economic resilience, powered by SMEs.

One common thread between both countries is a commitment to quality, consistency, and systems that work. In Switzerland, this shows up everywhere, from highly standardized hospitality experiences to manufacturing processes where precision is non-negotiable, to SMEs that prioritize long-term value over short-term gains.

And it is SMEs that sit at the heart of this success, notably more than 85% being family businesses.

This April, for the second time, a group of 20 BPN entrepreneurs from the BPN Business Owners’ Association (BOA) travelled to Switzerland for a study visit designed to challenge, inspire, and transform how they think about business, learning from a context that is relatable to   businesses.

The goal was not just to offer exposure, but transformation: 
• To critically challenge the status quo 
• To elevate the bar and aim higher 
• To strengthen leadership and operational discipline 
• And to translate global insights into local implementation

Over the coming days, we will be sharing their reflections through a series titled:  “Switzerland through the lens of Rwandan SMEs” 
 
Follow along this week as we unpack these insights and learnings. 
 

Tourism Hospitality Entrepreneurship Grow2Scale SMEGrowth Rwanda Switzerland

14/04/2026

Rwanda to Switzerland 🇷🇼🇨🇭
Kigali to Interlaken.

Two of our women entrepreneurs are taking the stage and owning it 🔥

Bold entrepreneurs. Real stories. Businesses rising and scaling beyond borders.

We love to see it 👏

08/03/2026

Happy Women’s Day! 💐

Today, we honor all the incredible women who are driving innovation & shaping the future of entrepreneurship in and beyond.

Your resilience, creativity, and leadership inspire us all.

Keep breaking barriers and leading change! 💐

01/02/2026

Happy National Heroes Day.
Our heroes paved the way with courage, sacrifice, and vision. We honour their legacy by embracing bold ideas, ethical leadership, and unity in action.

Under the theme “Heroism and Unity for Rwanda’s Development,” today’s entrepreneurs carry that spirit forward, driving innovation, creating jobs, and building a resilient Rwanda for generations to come. 🇷🇼

01/01/2026

Cheers to new beginnings and boundless possibilities!

Here’s to a bright and impactful 2026, driving growth, fostering innovation, and creating dignified jobs.

We remain committed to empowering entrepreneurs and to building a resilient, inclusive, and thriving economy for all.

Happy New Year! ✨

25/12/2025

🎄 Wishing everyone a joy-filled and Merry Christmas. May this day be filled with warmth, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

From all of us at 🎄