UWASE Chantal As unemployment continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing Rwanda’s youth, some young people are choosing not to wait for government or private sector jobs. Instead, they are taking the initiative to create their own employment opportunities. Various reports indicate that unemployment remains particularly prevalent among young people, which is why entrepreneurship and self employment programs continue to be promoted across the country.
Among those who have chosen to chart their own path is UWASE Chantal, a young woman who graduated from university with hopes of securing a job related to her field of study. However, after spending several months unsuccessfully searching for employment, she decided to venture into the motorcycle riders’ footwear business a decision that has since transformed her life.
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Dreams of Employment Put on Hold
After completing her university studies, Chantal was confident that she would secure a job within a short period, as many graduates aspire to do. She submitted applications to various institutions, sat for recruitment examinations, and attended several job interviews.
However, as time went by, her optimism gradually faded. “When I graduated, I believed I would be employed within a few months. I submitted applications to many organizations and took part in different recruitment processes, but nothing materialized. At one point, I felt that continuing to wait could lead to frustration and discouragement,” Chantal recalls.
She explains that spending long periods at home without a job left her constantly worrying about her future, especially when she saw some of her former classmates already employed.
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A Business Idea Inspired by Everyday Life
While continuing her job search, Chantal began observing the business activities around her. She noticed that motorcycle taxi riders were numerous and depended on durable footwear for their daily work.
She realized that motorcycle riders frequently purchase shoes because they are used intensively and wear out quickly, creating a consistent market demand. “I often saw motorcycle riders wearing similar types of shoes and noticed that they replaced them frequently. I wondered whether this could be a viable business opportunity. I carried out some basic market research and discovered that there was indeed potential,” she says. After identifying the opportunity, the next challenge was finding startup capital.
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Rwf50,000 Became the Foundation of Her Success
Chantal was a member of a youth savings group, where she had been contributing money over time. Those savings eventually became the solution she needed.
She withdrew Rwf50,000 from the group and used it to purchase her first stock of shoes for resale.
“It was not a large amount of money, but it was what I had available. I decided to start small rather than continue waiting for a larger sum whose availability was uncertain.”
She began by purchasing a small number of shoes and promoting them through friends, local motorcycle riders, and social media platforms.
The early days were far from easy. There were times when she would go several days without making a single sale. Some people even told her that such a business was not suitable for someone with a university degree.
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Refusing to Give Up
Despite these challenges, Chantal remained determined. She continued engaging with customers, listening to their preferences, and introducing footwear styles that were in high demand.
Gradually, her customer base began to grow. Satisfied motorcycle riders started recommending her products to their colleagues, leading to a steady increase in sales. “A satisfied customer becomes your unpaid ambassador. Riders who bought quality shoes from me would tell others where they got them, and those people would come to buy as well.”
Looking Toward Expansion
After a relatively short period in business, Chantal says her earnings began exceeding her initial expectations.
Although she has not disclosed the exact amount of profit she has generated, she confirms that the business now enables her to cover her daily expenses while also saving money for future expansion.
Her longterm ambition is to transform her venture into a large retail outlet supplying a variety of products needed by motorcycle riders, including shoes, raincoats, helmets, and other essential accessories.
A Message to Fellow Young People
According to Chantal, one of the biggest misconceptions among young people is the belief that success can only be achieved through salaried employment.
She argues that entrepreneurship can begin with whatever resources a person has, provided they possess a good idea and are willing to work hard. “If I was able to start a business with only Rwf50,000, many others can also begin with even a small amount. The most important thing is to take the first step instead of continuously waiting for opportunities whose arrival is uncertain.”
