CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Hatana Wihugure Program
Empower Your Business, Master the Market, and Accelerate Finance Readiness
A high-impact, four-month journey designed to unlock growth, strengthen governance, and prepare Rwandan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to access affordable financing confidently.
Secure your spot in Cohort 2 today.
Applications close on April 2nd, 2026
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Overview
The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), in partnership with the African Management Institute (AMI), is proud to open applications for the second cohort of the Hatana Wihugure Program.
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This high-impact, four-month journey is specifically designed to unlock growth, strengthen governance, and prepare Rwandan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to access affordable financing with confidence.
We believe SMEs are the heartbeat of Rwanda’s economic transformation. Our holistic and adaptive approach goes beyond theory, focusing on the core pillars that drive success:
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Strategic Planning: Charting a clear path to scale.
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Operational Efficiency: Doing more with what you have.
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Talent Management: Building a team that wins.
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Financial Structuring: Getting your books "bank-ready."
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This is more than training; it’s a strategic journey toward resilience, growth, and access to finance.
As a participating SME, you will benefit from:
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Full Business Diagnostic: A deep-dive review of your operations to identify exactly where you need support.
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Expert Coaching: 1-on-1 and group sessions with seasoned business experts to solve your specific hurdles.
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24/7 Bilingual Academy: Unlimited access to our digital learning platform with resources in both English and Kinyarwanda.
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Peer-to-Peer Networks: Collaborative sessions with fellow entrepreneurs to share challenges and crowdsource solutions.
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Financial Mastery: Hands-on support to manage your cash flow, improve compliance, and engage confidently with investors.
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Certification: A formal Certificate of Achievement to recognize your growth and readiness for the market.
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This program is 100% Fully Sponsored. Participation is free for selected businesses.
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The program targets established Rwandan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with strong growth potential, especially those seeking to improve operations and access affordable loans through financial institutions.
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Eligibility criteria:
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Registered business in Rwanda with at least 50% local ownership and 75% private ownership
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Operational for at least 3 years
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Annual turnover:
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Between FRW 1–20 million (Small enterprise)
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Between FRW 20–500 million (Medium enterprise)
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Employ at least five (5) permanent staff
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Operate in one of the following sectors:
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Construction materials and related value chains
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Agro-processing and related value chains
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Textiles and related value chains
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Light manufacturing (e.g., medical consumables, electronics)
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Must not have received a Hatana program-funded loan or participated in an AMI capacity building within the last 24 months
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The deadline to apply is April 2nd, 2026.
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Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage.
Overview
The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), in partnership with the African Management Institute (AMI), is proud to launch Cohort 1 of the Hatana Technical Assistance (TA) Programme - a powerful, seven-month journey tailored for Rwanda’s high-potential Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
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The Programme is designed to unlock business growth and build finance-readiness through a rich, practical experience that includes:
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Expert-led coaching sessions
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Peer learning and support networks
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Tailored tools and content designed for real-world SME challenges
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Hands-on strategies to scale your business sustainably
Start your journey
Tailored Support through
FIRST+ II Financial Inclusion
Business Growth
Whether you’re looking to enter new markets or scale your operations, FIRST+ II Financial Inclusion will provide the strategies and resources to help you succeed.
Financial Access
Learn how to secure the financing and investments needed to fuel your growth.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with a powerful network of peers, and agribusiness experts across Africa.
About AMI
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The African Management Institute (AMI) is Africa’s leading learning and development company, with a decade of experience in powering the performance of the continent's ambitious businesses, organizations, and people.
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We provide practical programmes, tools, and training that target specific business, organizational and individual performance outcomes.
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We believe...
skilled people build thriving businesses
thriving businesses create quality jobs
and quality jobs drive prosperity and dignity.
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About Hatana & the partnership with BRD
In April 2020, the Government of Rwanda (GoR) established an Economic Recovery Fund (ERF) to support the recovery of businesses hit by the COVID-19 pandemic so that they can survive, resume operations and safeguard employment, thereby cushioning the economic effects of the pandemic.
The Access to Finance for Recovery and Resilience (AFIRR) is a project designed to further support the ERF by increasing access to finance towards businesses post COVID-19.
The component of the project that is implemented by BRD Plc is referred to as Hatana- ERF 2, and provides affordable long-term financing for commercially viable projects in the manufacturing value chains.
As part of this effort, The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), has partnered with the African Management Institute (AMI) to equip 50 growth-ready SMEs with the skills, strategies, and confidence to scale, improve governance, and access the capital they need to thrive through the Hatana Technical Assistance (TA) Program.
Need more information:
Visit: hatana.brd.rw
Email: rwanda@africanmanagers.com
Phone: +250 78 733 9435 (AMI) / +250 79 150 1068 (BRD)