The Diaspora Business Incubator (DBI) is an activation and support hub for Rwandans living abroad. It was initiated by 3 active members of the Rwandan Diaspora, Jabo Butera, Francine Umutesi and Gisele Baganizi. It operates with the support from the Rwandan Diaspora Global Network (RDGN) and was officially launched during RDGN’s 2015 Diaspora Homecoming Day. DBI’s mission is to offer first point b
usiness and consultation services to the diaspora community, still considered an untapped source of skills and competencies for Rwanda. Today’s economic trends, globalization and Rwanda’s friendly business environment inspire members of the Rwandan Diaspora to develop business and investment ideas to implement in their home country. However, access to information on the various opportunities and processes is a considerable issue in addition to the limited amount of time available to the diaspora when they are in Rwanda. In addition, there is a significant lack of products with attractive returns tailored to the needs of the diaspora investors and a shortage of trusted partners to represent the interests of the diaspora and safely transact and close deals. Therefore, many become discouraged as they experience hardships trying to bring their ideas to fruition. This is where DBI will assist these diaspora members by fostering the development of their ideas and ensuring successful and complete due process in implementation issues and other ad hoc services. In partnership with government and private organizations such as National Bank of Rwanda, Business development funds (BDF), the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) and other commercial banks, DBI will enlist relatively sizeable products with attractive returns for Diaspora investment. Furthermore, DBI shall get involved in the creation of community investment clubs CIC which will aim at creating financial freedom of members of RCAs within their own communities but also contribute to the trade of Rwandan products by setting convenient stores or mini supermarket baring and promoting produces " MADE IN RWANDA". The return being of re-injecting foreign currency back in the Rwandan economy every time they reorder these produces.
