Yvette Ishimwe (born 1995) is a Rwandan entrepreneur, environmental activist and founder of Iriba Water Group. She is known for transforming Rwanda's water scarcity into business opportunities, benefiting low-income communities. [1][2][3][4][5]
Yvette Ishimwe | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1995 (age 28–29) |
| Citizenship | Rwandan |
| Alma mater |
|
| Occupations |
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| Known for | Environmental activism |
| Notable work | Iriba Water Group |
| Title | Rwandan Enterpriser |
| Awards |
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| Website | iribawatergroup |
Life and career
editEducational background
edit
Yvette was born in Kigali, Rwanda. Her interest in water solutions began at a young age, when her parents moved from Kigali to a rural village in Kayonza, in Rwanda's Eastern Province. Yvette pursued higher education at Southern New Hampshire University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Business Management. In 2016, she graduated from the Entrepreneurial Action-Learning Program certified by Regent University (USA). [6][7][8][9]
Career
editYvette served as the 2nd Vice President of the Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs within the Private Sector Federation of Rwanda for two years and she currently leads Iriba Water Group as its CEO. [10][11][12]
Iriba Water Group
Founded in 2017, Iriba Water Group is a social enterprise committed to providing safe drinking water to under-served rural and urban communities in Rwanda. With Yvette as its Chief Executive Officer, the company operates through a network of water kiosks and water filtration systems, including water ATMs. As of 2023, Iriba’s 74 Tap & Drink systems is said to have brought safe, affordable drinking water to more than 300,000 people in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The company has also created 68 jobs and prevents the emission of 62 metric tons of CO2 each month. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]
Awards and recognition
edit- In 2017, she received the Queen’s Young Leader Award from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. [20]
- YALI Mandela Washington Fellow–2019. [21]
- Top 10 African Business Hero –2021. [22][23]
- African Youth Adaptation Solutions Challenge Winner–2022. [24]
- Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30– 2023. [25]
- Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award Winner–2023. [26]
- Cartier Women Initiative Award Winner–2023. [13]
References
edit- ^ Reporter, Times (2017-08-30). "Why 20-year-old Ishimwe won the 'Queen's Young Leaders' award". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ Gates, Bill. "Even the Queen of England is impressed with this young Rwandan's water business". gatesnotes.com. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Meet Rwanda's Yvette Ishimwe among the 2021 Top 20 outstanding African entrepreneurs - TOP AFRICA NEWS". 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Alumni Initiatives". Yalirwandachapter. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Yvette Ishimwe". The Tony Elumelu Foundation. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Clean drinking water from innovative ATMs in Rwanda". Africa's Business Heroes. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Yvette Ishimwe". Mandela Washington Fellowship. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Meet Yvette Ishimwe, a BDC Grad who won the Queen's Young Leaders Award". BDC Rwanda. 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ SNHU (2018-12-18). "GEM/Kepler graduate and entrepreneur Yvette Ishimwe turns Rwanda's water challenge into a social entrepreneurship opportunity". Global Education Movement (GEM) at SNHU. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ Opudo, Denis (2018-01-10). "Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Foundation Program". Tech In Africa. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ Rwanda, Taarifa (2021-10-07). "Meet the African entrepreneurs shortlisted for Jack Ma's US$1.5M prizes". FurtherAfrica. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Access to clean water is Rwandese right-ABH 2021 Top 20 Hero Yvette Ishimwe - PAN AFRICAN VISIONS". panafricanvisions.com. 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ a b "Yvette Ishimwe | 2023 Fellow". www.cartierwomensinitiative.com. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Yvette Ishimwe – Young Water Solutions". Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ Africa, MSME (2021-10-04). "Africa's Business Heroes Announces Top 10 Finalists for 2021". MSME Africa. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "IRIBA Water Group". Segal Family Foundation. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ Houbrechts, Maartje (2020-12-04). "Iriba Water Group — Business Partnership Facility". Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "IRIBA Water Group | Innovative Water Solutions | Expo City Dubai". www.expocitydubai.com. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Home - IRIBA Water Group". 2022-10-17. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Yvette Ishimwe | Queen's Young Leaders". Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Fellowship Alumna Named African Business Hero 2021 Top 10 Finalist". Mandela Washington Fellowship. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Three Nigerian Firms Win $480,000 Jack Ma Fund for African businesses - Afrikan Heroes". 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ Bacar, Ibn (2021-10-20). "Meet Yvette Ishimwe, Founder and CEO, IRIBA Water Group | Startup News". Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Rwandan Greenpreneur, Yvette Ishimwe Win $100,000 at COP27". Amazons Watch Magazine. 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "30 Under 30 Tomorrow's Titans: Heart And Hustle". www.forbesafrica.com. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ Bayer Foundation (2022-07-11). Women Empowerment Award Winner - Iriba Watergroup I Bayer Foundation. Retrieved 2024-09-19 – via YouTube.