Coming together and working in cooperatives has been the major attribute to the growth in the businesses run by the private sector in Gisozi sector in Kigali city.
Business men and women working in various business cooperatives (ADARWA, APARWA, Duhahirane, Kopcom and sosiyete Soprocogi) say that they have managed to collect funds to construct commercial plaza, which accommodate their members.
One of the most outstanding cooperatives in Gisozi, is Duhahirane cooperative- which is comprised of former streets venders who used to vend on the streets of Kigali, but so far the cooperative has raised a structure which will accommodate over 180 businesses.
The cooperative vice chairman, Eric Shirubute says that the cooperatives have been a source of encouragement for small business operations and the members have now realized the importance of working together as a way of investing in bigger income generating projects.
Kopcom cooperative- comprised of construction enterprenuers is another cooperative that is also promising good result. This cooperative has managed to build a commercial plaza without the help of the banks.
Kopcom cooperative chairman, Emile Ndahumba, the bank loans will be solicited only after the structure is complete and this money will be used as for other projects to boost their businesses.
In Rwanda, it is government policy for the private sector to form cooperatives as a replacement of associations, in doing business. The government believes that through cooperatives, individuals can greatly benefit from the projects and be held accountable unlike in association.
So far there cooperatives operating in Gakingiro area, in Gisozi sector, have managed to construct atleast 15 commercial plazas and according to the sector leader, Patricie Murekatete , this is very promising and makes the place a designated business zone.
Each of the cooperatives also hires between 200 and 500 residents for causal jobs. The employees are all encouraged to bank their salaries with the savings schemes (umurenge sacco), which has also enabled them to access easy loans and improve their welfare, says Murekatete.
