African Management Institute (AMI) is pleased to mark a key milestone in its mission to support entrepreneurs and their enterprises on the continent. Two hundred and forty Growth Guides in the Kataza Program are now AMI-trained and deployed in Rwanda to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with business coaching, financial literacy, and access to finance. This initiative is not just another training program; it is a groundbreaking, scalable model for delivering evidence-based business support at an unprecedented scale, unlocking economic resilience and prosperity for communities across Africa.

The Mastercard Foundation’s Kataza Program is run in partnership with the Rwanda Development Bank (BRD) along with five key implementing partners: AMI, MVEND Ltd, the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR), Rwanda Men Resource Center (RWAMREC), and I&M Bank Plc. It is designed to equip youth-led and women-owned enterprises with the financial tools, operational knowledge, and digital inclusion needed to scale and thrive.

What makes this approach revolutionary is the combination of intuitive technology and community-driven mentorship. We have equipped 240 young Growth Guides from across Rwanda with our AMI App, optimized for offline use.

These Growth Guides will support 90,000 young women and men in strengthening their micro businesses, improving their livelihoods, and linking them to finance providers. In just a few days, Growth Guides have already diagnosed almost 100 youth-owned businesses in their local communities, and we are rapidly scaling up, learning and adapting along the way.

The Growth Guide model is a transformative approach to business support in Africa, combining grassroots mentorship with intuitive technology to make entrepreneurial resources accessible at scale.

This tech+touch model, inspired by the community health worker system, has the potential to revolutionize MSME support across the continent.

“Looking ahead, AI integration will further enhance business diagnostics, ensuring that the most promising entrepreneurs receive targeted coaching, financial tools, and access to capital. With its ability to scale and be embedded into government and financial systems, this model aims to provide evidence-based business support for every MSME in Africa, driving economic growth, job creation, and widespread prosperity,” said Rebecca Harrison, emphasizing the Role of AI and Financial Inclusion.

MSMEs form the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, yet face persistent barriers to accessing the finance, training, and mentorship necessary for sustainable growth.

The Kataza Program is tackling these challenges head-on by deploying Growth Guides across 15 districts to:

• Provide Business Training: Helping MSMEs build strong financial and operational foundations.

• Facilitate Access to Finance: Connect businesses with tailored loan solutions via SACCOs, MFIs, and I&M Bank.

• Enhance Financial Literacy: Empowering entrepreneurs with skills to manage and grow their businesses.

• Foster Digital Inclusion: Supporting VSLAs and MSMEs in transitioning to formal financial services.

  
  

William Furaha, Program Coordinator for the Development Bank of Rwanda, emphasized the importance of equipping entrepreneurs with the financial resources, training, and mentorship needed to scale. “Providing MSMEs with access to tailored financial solutions is crucial for economic resilience and job creation. This initiative ensures that small businesses, particularly those led by youth and women, receive the necessary financial support to scale and thrive,” he said.

In completing the program, Growth Guides pledged their commitment to delivering with dedication and innovation and to contributing to a more prosperous and resilient community. "As a young mother from Nyamagabe, I never imagined I could be part of something this big. Being a Growth Guide means I can build a better future for my child while helping other entrepreneurs like me grow their businesses. This opportunity is not just about learning—it’s about lifting each other. If I can do it with a 7-month-old in my arms, so can you!" said Francoise Dusabimana.

By empowering Growth Guides, the Kataza Program is investing in Rwanda’s future—creating jobs, boosting MSMEs, and building an inclusive economy where young entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive.

This is the next frontier in AMI’s quest to scale our proven model for business support. By empowering networks of young people with the right tools, we can reach every community and every MSME and ultimately transform Africa's business landscape.

About African Management Institute

African Management Institute (AMI) is a pan-African skills development provider dedicated to entrepreneurship, business, and skills development across the continent. AMI's programs combine interactive learning sessions with peer learning and access to a comprehensive learning platform, empowering business owners with practical knowledge and resources for success.