About iHuzo Project
iHuzo Digital Commerce is a digital onboarding
project by Rwanda ICT Chamber in partnership with Access To Finance Rwanda
Key project targets
1,500
Local businesses on-boarded across e-commerce platforms2,000
iWorkers livelihoods improved or created100
Centers offering e-commerce specific services to digitally onboard MSEsBackground
In light of the pandemic, it has become clear that the value propositions of digital adoption and digital commerce are higher for society at large, by providing continuity of essential services and goods and by offering contactless, cashless transactions.
AFR has identified the need for interventions that would speed up digital adoption and support productive livelihoods for young adults through digital commerce amid the response to the global pandemic and part of an existing national ICT growth strategy. AFR initiated the project: iHuzo (Accelerating growth of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) through expanding the e-commerce sector in Rwanda) with the aim of spurring the growth of livelihoods and employment opportunities through e-commerce, to address the barriers and promote an enabling market system for e-commerce with onboarding MSEs into the digital economy at the core.
The main objectives
Onboard up to 1,500 non-digital local MSE businesses into e-commerce and digital commerce platforms
Establish network of at least 100 e-commerce specific centers or cafes to support MSES to onboard onto e-commerce and digital commerce platforms to employ youths as iWorkers
Increase trust and quality in the marketplace by addressing challenges of matching, reputation management, information that foster iWorker employment generation.
Enhance public-private dialog between government and the private sector to align priorities and address market gaps.
Create linkages and partnerships with lenders willing to test alternative methods of credit assessment and other development programs promoting the growth of MSEs.
