Sarah Rukundo

Country Director

Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali

Sarah is the Country Director of Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali, which is currently home to more than 150 entrepreneurs and stands as one of the flagship entrepreneurship hubs in Rwanda. This hub offers a range of programs and services including in-house acceleration/incubation programs, technical skills workshops, a digital fabrication lab, and networking opportunities. The hub recently pioneered a unique accelerator program to support the growth of women climate entrepreneurs. Sarah is passionate about building a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and advocates for innovation and entrepreneurship in Rwanda. Sarah holds an MBA in Project Management from Oklahoma Christian University.

Event Schedule

DAY 1

18 July 2023

Start Time	End Time	Session	Description	Action
06:30 pm EEST	08:00 pm EEST	Women in Business: Equal Opportunities, Endless Possibilities Side Event Kigali Convention Center - Room MH 4-2	In this session, there will be discussions on women participation in business and trade and how women enhance the bottom line. It will evoke an intellectual conversation Read More In this session, there will be discussions on women participation in business and trade and how women enhance the bottom line. It will evoke an intellectual conversation on the challenges and opportunities women face in business and trade and provide a platform to share insights on ways to overcome, advance and succeed in the business world. Additionally, participants will discuss the need for policies that advocate and push for women to do business and leveraging technology to empower women. Interventions include, but not limited to, easing access to finance, protective regulatory frameworks, and providing access to markets. This session will highlight the significant impact of increasing women participation in business for self, family, and economic transformation. Organizer: Rwanda Development Board Read Less Speakers Sarah Rukundo Country Director Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali Mindy Silverstein Managing Director and Senior Advisor to the Group CEO Credit Suisse Wandia Gichuru Chief Executive Officer Vivo Fashion Group Patience Mutesi Managing Director BPR Bank Rwanda Plc Clare Akamanzi Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rwanda Development Board