RWANDA VENTURES

"In Africa today, we recognize that trade and investment, not aid, are the pillars of development."

Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda

Current humanitarian assistance and foreign aid efforts largely address the symptoms of poverty. Interventions to promote private sector growth are few and far between. Individuals who emerge out of acute poverty encounter numerous challenges and are faced with a shortage of opportunities to create prosperity and live a self-sufficient life.

To invest in sustainable businesses serving Rwanda's poor, Rwanda Works launched a social enterprise: RWANDA VENTURES LTD.

Rwanda Ventures (RV) demonstrates that with sound private sector investment, wealth creation and sustainable economic development in Rwanda are not only possible, but financially sound.

Rwanda Venture's businesses transform markets by stimulating supply chains and increasing employment, both of which deliver multiplier effects such as greater purchasing power to pursue education, preventative health care and better quality shelter. On a national level, RV businesses increase wages and improve measures such as income per household and GDP

RV Investment Strategy: Identify, Develop & Commercialize

Rwanda Ventures identifies financially viable businesses, develops businesses, and assists in their commercialization using a specific set of criteria.

Identification
RW invests in businesses that generate social returns, have national-level impact and are financially viable. Investments are evaluated against three overall criteria:

1. Social Impact: Create individual wealth, employment opportunities and net macro-economic benefits; improve efficiencies in the marketplace.
2. Economic Viability: Access to management; strong core operating metrics; potential to recoup initial investment.
3. Strategic Synergies: Ability to leverage management resources across investments and reach economies of scale for related transactions; vertical integration down the supply chain.

Development
Once identified, RV plays an active role in nurturing and growing businesses. During this critical time in the start-up's growth, Rwanda Ventures:

1. Provides hands-on management and operates the business.
2. Identifies inefficiencies, hones strategy and develops opportunities for growth.
3. Gradually transitions management and operations to Rwandan partners and staff.

Commercialization
Once RV businesses are sustainably generating profits, Rwanda Ventures takes a more strategic role, while continuing to:

1. Raise capital to expand the business and increase capacity.
2. Constantly review operations and finances.

When a business is commercially viable, RV looks to transfer ownership to Rwandan partners or third party interests. Financial returns are re-deployed to capitalize new businesses.