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By Clementine Nyirangaruye
The Centre for Development and Enterprises Rwanda (CDE Rwanda) has officially launched the ISHEMA Project, a nationwide civic and economic empowerment initiative designed to promote economic freedom, civic awareness, and dignity among women cross-border traders, youth, and small business owners in Rwanda. Kigali, February 2, 2026.
The launch event brought together media professionals, civil society actors, and development partners, highlighting a shared commitment to inclusive and citizen-centered economic development.
The ISHEMA Project targets at least 10,000 beneficiaries nationwide, with a particular focus on women, youth, and small business owners operating within both the formal and informal economies.
Speaking at the launch, Rene Gosciny Bigirimana, Chief Executive Officer of CDE Rwanda, emphasized that ISHEMA seeks to address structural barriers that limit women cross-border traders, youth, and small business owners from fully participating in the economy.
“ISHEMA aims to remove barriers that hamper our development as citizens through a free market,” Bigirimana said. “With the support of our partner, Atlas Network, a US-based NGO, we are implementing a series of trainings and policy engagements to empower citizens, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.”
Bigirimana explained that the project will be implemented in several phases, beginning with the national launch, followed by capacity-building trainings across all provinces and the City of Kigali. These activities will engage policymakers, the private sector, and civil society to encourage dialogue and practical solutions.
The project builds on previous civic and economic empowerment initiatives implemented by CDE Rwanda and will work closely with policymakers, local authorities, and civil society organizations to identify and address barriers to trade. Many traders have raised concerns related to high taxation, restrictive regulations, and limited market access—challenges that ISHEMA seeks to address through dialogue, advocacy, and policy engagement.
“Our role is not only advocacy, but also education,” Bigirimana noted. “We will train citizens to understand their rights and responsibilities, operate within the law, pay taxes, respect trade rules, and, at the same time, demand fairness and accountability.”
The initiative also promotes the free movement of people and goods, emphasizing the importance of an open and competitive market as a foundation for inclusive economic growth.
The project focuses on women farmers and traders, youth entrepreneurs, small business owners, and other key actors who play a critical role in local and national economic development. Key activities include community dialogues and workshops on economic freedoms and property rights, entrepreneurship and market participation training, advocacy through radio programs and social media campaigns, and public discussions on economic justice.
The project is expected to increase public awareness of economic and civic rights, empower citizens to demand fairness and accountability, enhance the participation of women and youth in the economy, strengthen support for inclusive economic policies, and improve trust between citizens and public institutions.
In the long term, ISHEMA aims to promote sustainable societal change by defending civil and economic freedoms, encouraging grassroots civic engagement, supporting gender equity, and serving as a model for peaceful, citizen-driven reform that balances development, freedom, and dignity.
ISHEMA represents a significant step toward restoring dignity, expanding opportunity, and strengthening freedom in Rwanda. By empowering citizens and advocating for fair and inclusive economic policies, the project contributes to a more open, accountable, and prosperous society.
