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Rwandan social entrepreneur wins $100,000 Netpreneur Prize
This past weekend in Accra, Ghana – the awarding ceremony for the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative by the Jack Ma Foundation took place and among the ten winners, two were Rwandan women. Social entrepreneur, Christelle Kwizera walked away with 3rd place and $100,000 for her company, Water Access Rwanda; she joins CNBC Africa to share her experience and what her next step will be.
Wed, 20 Nov 2019 11:26:02 GMT
Disclaimer: The following content is generated automatically by a GPT AI and may not be accurate. To verify the details, please watch the video
AI Generated Summary
- Christelle Kwizera's win of the $100,000 Netpreneur Prize highlights her innovative approach to addressing the critical issue of water access in Africa.
- Her experience of presenting to industry leaders like Jack Ma and Strive Masiyiwa underscored the value of receiving advice and guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs.
- Christelle's focus on people and commitment to investing in operational strength demonstrate her strategic vision for scaling up Water Access Rwanda's impact.
Rwandan social entrepreneur, Christelle Kwizera, has emerged as a beacon of hope in the African business landscape with her impressive achievement in winning the $100,000 Netpreneur Prize awarded by the Jack Ma Foundation. The prestigious award ceremony took place in Accra, Ghana, where Christelle Kwizera was awarded 3rd place for her extraordinary work with Water Access Rwanda. This significant recognition has not only brought honor to Christelle but has also shed light on the critical issue of water access in Africa and the innovative solutions being implemented to address it.
Reflecting on her experience of presenting in front of industry giants like Jack Ma and Strive Masiyiwa, Christelle shared the nerves and excitement of facing tough questions and receiving invaluable advice. She highlighted the importance of focusing on people, a key point emphasized by Jack Ma during the event. This advice has inspired Christelle to prioritize her team and strengthen internal operations to facilitate the company's growth and efficiency.
When asked about her plans for utilizing the prize money, Christelle emphasized the need to invest in strengthening operations and preparing for larger fundraising rounds to scale up Water Access Rwanda's impact. With a keen eye for system-level solutions and a business-oriented approach to addressing the global challenge of water access, Christelle's distinctive approach set her apart from other entrepreneurs at the event.
Expressing her concerns about Africa's ability to achieve universal access to water by 2030, Christelle echoed a sense of pessimism shared by many in the sector. She stressed the importance of reevaluating traditional models and embracing innovative solutions like mini-grids to overcome the challenges posed by complex terrain and infrastructure needs. Despite the challenges ahead, Christelle remains optimistic about the impact her solutions can make and calls for increased funding and support for such initiatives.
Christelle Kwizera's remarkable journey as a social entrepreneur and advocate for sustainable water access serves as an inspirational tale of dedication, innovation, and resilience in the face of formidable challenges. Her recognition at the Netpreneur Prize ceremony not only validates her hard work and vision but also highlights the pressing need for collaborative efforts and investments in transformative solutions for water access across Africa.
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