Inspired by Kigali’s green vision and policies that allow refugees to work, Annick Iriwacu started a thriving business selling clean energy gas cylinders. She fled violence in Burundi in 2015 with hardly anything. In Rwanda’s capital, she has found an opportunity to provide for her family and give back to the city that gave her hope.
In Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, refugees have the opportunity to provide for themselves and contribute to development, thanks to political will and support from the private sector.
Burundian refugee Annick Iriwacu started a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) distribution business in the city that has been her home since she fled unrest at home in 2015. Her idea was to tap into Kigali’s reputation as one of the cleanest cities in Africa and the country’s efforts to switch to clean energy.
Being registered by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in the city, meant Annick had the opportunity to benefit from services in the city like most Rwandans. She is also registered with Rwanda’s Development Board (RDB), pays taxes and provides for her family.
Last year, Annick took part in an entrepreneurship training program run by a consulting firm called Inkomoko, which has partnered with UNHCR and the Rwandan Government to help refugees build businesses that created up to 2,600 jobs countrywide in 2017~UNHCR
