Innovative ICT mind for a living

While the government of Rwanda has put its major focus on eliminating poverty through job creation and supporting innovative minds, Fidele Mahoro, 38, is one of the ICT graduates who have responded positively to this call.

As a student of ICT at the Kigali Institute of Technology (KIST), Mahoro graduated in 2012, and developed a project idea of a client and computer sharing technology which uses one Central Processing Unit (CPU) to serve more than one person in an office setting.

Today, Mahoro, runs an Information Technology (IT) company called Techware Solutions Rwanda Ltd- based in Nyarugenge district in Kigali city.

 After hearing over the radio, that the government of Rwanda, through the ministry of trade and industry- was inviting young Rwandans with innovative ideas that can create jobs, Mahoro grabbed the chance without hesitation.

He immediately developed the idea and only put it on paper work and submitted the funding proposal to the Hanga Umurimo Project- a job creation project-which is run by the ministry of Trade and Industry.

“I was sitting at home when I had of the advert in which they were calling for people with innovative ideas that can become projects to create jobs. I joined the competition but it was tight. Luckily, my idea was selected among the best out of the 50 projects presented”

At the time of conception of the idea, Mahoro was very aware that he needed to use imported gadgets to implement the project and this meant finding information of the gadget. In the back of his head, Mahoro also knew that he had no money to start the project, despite the fact that he had emerged among the best competitors.

However with the help of the HUP program, he sought a bank loan of Rwf10millions and started small- to make sure that the project grows gradually.

“I didn’t have money but I had very little savings to add into the project which complimented the loan from the bank. I actually asked for little money so as to try out the feasibility of the project. Currently the project is doing well and I have many clients who need the services”

 In order to market his project and services, Mahoro begun selling the idea to schools and holding training sessions with school heads from across the country. With this he has managed to reach out most school in the country and has a potential client base in Kigali and around the country.

“It was not easy to sell the idea, but with time the clients have begun realizing the importance of the services and I am sure that with continued education and awareness, the idea will be useful and marketable” he says.

Adding that the project has so far managed to provide jobs to his assistants (technicians and installment teams) and sustain his livelihood, without necessary seeking an kind of employment after graduation school.