This entrepreneur started from next to nothing and now he owns multiple businesses. The key his successful achievement was finding the gap in the market.
Sina Gérard of Urwibutso Enterprises is Rwanda’s leading entrepreneur. Self-made; he built himself up to be a successful business owner. Self-educated; he taught himself life’s lessons through personal experience. Self-confessed; he is proud to be a big dreamer and visionary.
Sina Gérard: Owner of Urwibutso Enterprises
Sina Gérard took his first steps as an entrepreneur by baking produce farmed with his parents’ bare hands. This small bakery established in 1983 was the first of many successful initiatives started by Sina Gérard as a recipe for return. He expanded his portfolio by squeezing juice from the fruits of the very trees that he grew up surrounded by.
His youthful enthusiasm later researched methods to preserve this juice. The puree process in turn led to the successful commercial production of banana wine and ultimately the popularity of these refreshments grew the chain of Sina Gérard’s retail outlets. Some of these shop fronts are visible on the Main Road linking the two busiest cities in Rwanda.
These cities enjoy the treats from Sina Gérard’s restaurants as well as the delicious consumables from his food and beverage factories. His factories’ large production volumes eventually required this entrepreneur to create a distribution centre in order to dispatch the supply required to quench the thirst for his products. Continued profitable turnover reinstated Sina Gérard in local soil where today he owns vast hectares of farmland and harvests his own raw ingredients. In addition he has uplifted the local farming industry by training rural farmers on international agricultural methods and standards.
Sina Gérard plans to further extend his successful empire into the export industry while continuing to give back to the local community as a private investor in education. He inaugurated the Sina Gérard School covering nursery, primary and secondary grades. Raised in the countryside with no formal study, Sina Gérard recognises academic and English language skills as assets and therefore facilitates the free schooling of all of his employees’ children at his institution. Once the pupils graduate he would like to incorporate them into his Urwibutso work force. He believes that education is as fundamental to the growth of his nation as it is to the prosperity of his national companies. Sina Gérard’s philosophy is that all entrepreneurs in Rwanda should contribute to the development of their country.
This is the story of a self-sufficient industry leader who took ownership of all the little opportunities that he encountered along the way and now owns large successful enterprises that are encountered by most Rwandan people on a daily basis. Sina Gérard is a thriving example of the prosperity that an entrepreneurial approach can attain.
actually it is inspiring.most people believe money is the source of ideas.
Africa Report
December 2, 2009
Hi Stephen
List your finance request on the Marketplace, our online space which connects entrepreneurs with investors. To list on the marketplace Signup hereand fill in your information.
Stephen
December 2, 2009
I am a Ghanaian graduate in the field of electrical/ electronic engineering but would like to go into the cultivation of cereals and grains.
My problem is the funds to acquire land for the project.
batangimana
December 14, 2009
je suis rwandais et je suis tres content de savoir que on peu réussir au rwanda.continue
What an inspirational story! This is faith and works, working together. I hope Sina Gérards story will inspire many more Africans. I see a bright and prosperous future for Mr Gérards. Will he be the next Bill Gates of Africa. Keep up the good work Sina and dont lose the dream!
Chemo Mutani
December 21, 2009
Its amaxing how ideas can be transformed, and desire can result into physical means. He is a model for me(first person-singular).
Cristian I Wolle
December 23, 2009
An Amazing achievement in the area of Agriculture. The continent needs these testimonies to understand that it is now the turn for Africa to excel in all areas.
Africa is moving forwards. We need powerful mechanisms that encourage investment and expand capacity in the continent.
Leaders need to sit up and support the good governances to lift the continent. Kudos to all Agro farms. Happy New Year.
Christian Wolle, Ghana
Emmanuel Edicha Agbali
January 5, 2010
I got in contact with africa report programmee on AIT in Jos City, Nigeria and decided to come online to find out more about the initiative.
The story of Sina Gérard is quite inspiring and educating. Infact, I see it as an eye opener for young Africans like myself to take up the challenge of creating jobs rather than waiting to be given job. The other lesson is learning to give back to the society by investing in the lives of other from the proceeds of whatever business you’re engaged in, to better your country.
Please, may I ask for a favour; I am particullarly interested in knowing more and possibly establish a link with a lady shown on your last episode on AIT still from Rwanda that specializes in Colour designs on clothing materials(shirts, caps etc). I’ll like to establish contact with her agency.
Lastly, I’ll like to commend the effort of the sponsors of the programmee. Keep it up; you’re doing a great job.
Thanks in anticipation of your response.
Africa Report Team
January 5, 2010
Dear Emmanuel,
Many thanks for watching Africa Report TV Series and for your comments, we value your support.
We believe that your enquiry regards the profile we did in Episode 1 of Africa Report on Eva Muraya of Color Creations. Color Creations Ltd. is in fact in Kenya. Feel free to have a look at their website http://www.colorcreations.co.ke. Their contact information is provided below, please use ‘Africa Report TV Series’ as your reference.
Color Creations Ltd.
P. O. Box 4467 – 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Should you wish to view the insert again, please scroll over the ‘Episodes’ tab on our website, scroll over ‘Episode 1′ and click on ‘Color Creations’.
Best of luck with your business ventures.
Stay tuned to Africa Report.
Kind Regards,
Africa Report Team
myra
January 10, 2010
Kindly help me with contacts for mr sina . I am a fruit farmer and would love to learn more from this exemplary entrepreneur. Thank you and God bless
Africa Report Team
January 12, 2010
Dear Myra,
Please check out Sina Gerard’s website for information on his company Urwibutso http://www.sina.co.rw.
It is possible to replay the profile on Sina Gerard by clicking on the youtube link above.
Should you wish to replay any Africa Report episodes, they are available for viewing directly off our website. Simply click on the ‘Episodes’ tab, select the episode number that you are interested in and press play (indicated by the forward arrow). Should you wish to review only a particular feature, scroll over the episode number and a chapter menu will pop up. Click on the profile you wish to view, press play (indicated by the forward arrow).
Thank you for watching Africa Report. Stay tuned.
- Africa Report Team -
If you need professional guidance on marketing, contact the under signed.
EMILY
TEL: +250 783 110887
alozie
February 13, 2010
iam very happy at the improvement on all aspects of african economy especially Rwanda considering their war.I shall i like to know if the product of sina gerald could be exported or for now it is for local consumption only.
Iam highly impressed.
kind regrads.
alozie
Prudence
March 13, 2010
Mr Sina
i just graduated from the University of Buea Cameroon haven studied JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION.I watched AFRICA REPORTS and was inspired by your hard work.im working on a clothing line project since i dont have a job and need a mentor.please i will be glade if you become that mentor because apart from the your achievement i think you have a good heart.Congratulations.
My regards
cONTACT:+23775900829
Liberata
May 4, 2010
Congratulations Mr. Sina! Your story is inspiring for any young school leaver to venture into business starting with what is available in their vicinity. Nature offers us many opportunities which go unnoticed! Thank you for this important lesson. May God bless you!
Atemkeng Maureen NKOUMKI
May 5, 2010
This is one of my best stories. It is very inspiring and brings hope to the poor and uneducated. What I like most is the fact that he is trying to educate the population even though he didn’t get good education. Some people are selfish, and will not let others get what they can’t or couldn’t.Cheers, Maureen from Cameroon.
Velelia Matumba
May 14, 2010
What a wonderful achievement.It’s inspiring, I have learnt that one can start small and grow big, surely it’s encouraging.
Hannah N Owot
May 15, 2010
Bravo,
I am encouraged that out of Africa and East Africa in particular has raise self made entrepreneurs. We need to move our attention from dependence on foreign Aid and maximize our potential. All our wealth is in our hands, how I wish we can discover this.
Dorothy
July 13, 2010
You really inspired me.I have a dream but uptil now has not materialise,and part of that dream is what you are operating.I need guidiance in how and what to do start my own backery.So insch am saying I’m saying i need a little more experience and a role model and i see that in you.I had always wish that i’ll be a blessing to my generation as yo are doing to yours.I belive that its Gods will that you help me by learning from your foot stool.I am a civil servant and i work as a government hospital as caterer,I have save upto a thousand six hundred dollars and want to invest it.I belive that the time for me to start is now if only you can assist God be your helper you wount regret it.
Dorothy Coker
Africa Report
July 13, 2010
Hi Dorothy
If you are interested in investing in an entrepreneur Click Here to check out the Africa Report Marketplace, our online space which connects entrepreneurs with investors.
Good Luck!
Africa Report
September 16, 2010
Thank you ALL for your motivational Comments!
Check out our other entrepreneurs in our ‘Top Entrepreneurs’ section on the homepage.
ivumbi elly
November 29, 2009
actually it is inspiring.most people believe money is the source of ideas.
Africa Report
December 2, 2009
Hi Stephen
List your finance request on the Marketplace, our online space which connects entrepreneurs with investors. To list on the marketplace Signup here and fill in your information.
Stephen
December 2, 2009
I am a Ghanaian graduate in the field of electrical/ electronic engineering but would like to go into the cultivation of cereals and grains.
My problem is the funds to acquire land for the project.
batangimana
December 14, 2009
je suis rwandais et je suis tres content de savoir que on peu réussir au rwanda.continue
Naakordau
December 15, 2009
What an inspirational story! This is faith and works, working together. I hope Sina Gérards story will inspire many more Africans. I see a bright and prosperous future for Mr Gérards. Will he be the next Bill Gates of Africa. Keep up the good work Sina and dont lose the dream!
Chemo Mutani
December 21, 2009
Its amaxing how ideas can be transformed, and desire can result into physical means. He is a model for me(first person-singular).
Cristian I Wolle
December 23, 2009
An Amazing achievement in the area of Agriculture. The continent needs these testimonies to understand that it is now the turn for Africa to excel in all areas.
Africa is moving forwards. We need powerful mechanisms that encourage investment and expand capacity in the continent.
Leaders need to sit up and support the good governances to lift the continent. Kudos to all Agro farms. Happy New Year.
Christian Wolle, Ghana
Emmanuel Edicha Agbali
January 5, 2010
I got in contact with africa report programmee on AIT in Jos City, Nigeria and decided to come online to find out more about the initiative.
The story of Sina Gérard is quite inspiring and educating. Infact, I see it as an eye opener for young Africans like myself to take up the challenge of creating jobs rather than waiting to be given job. The other lesson is learning to give back to the society by investing in the lives of other from the proceeds of whatever business you’re engaged in, to better your country.
Please, may I ask for a favour; I am particullarly interested in knowing more and possibly establish a link with a lady shown on your last episode on AIT still from Rwanda that specializes in Colour designs on clothing materials(shirts, caps etc). I’ll like to establish contact with her agency.
Lastly, I’ll like to commend the effort of the sponsors of the programmee. Keep it up; you’re doing a great job.
Thanks in anticipation of your response.
Africa Report Team
January 5, 2010
Dear Emmanuel,
Many thanks for watching Africa Report TV Series and for your comments, we value your support.
We believe that your enquiry regards the profile we did in Episode 1 of Africa Report on Eva Muraya of Color Creations. Color Creations Ltd. is in fact in Kenya. Feel free to have a look at their website http://www.colorcreations.co.ke. Their contact information is provided below, please use ‘Africa Report TV Series’ as your reference.
Color Creations Ltd.
P. O. Box 4467 – 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: 254 020 651604 / 552384 / 552856 / 2491645
Fax: 254 020 651603
Mobile: 254 0733 745368 / 254 0722 421942 / 0771152319 / 0770425023
Physical Address: Road B, Off Enterprise Road, Industrial Area
e-mail: branding@colorcreations.co.ke
Should you wish to view the insert again, please scroll over the ‘Episodes’ tab on our website, scroll over ‘Episode 1′ and click on ‘Color Creations’.
Best of luck with your business ventures.
Stay tuned to Africa Report.
Kind Regards,
Africa Report Team
myra
January 10, 2010
Kindly help me with contacts for mr sina . I am a fruit farmer and would love to learn more from this exemplary entrepreneur. Thank you and God bless
Africa Report Team
January 12, 2010
Dear Myra,
Please check out Sina Gerard’s website for information on his company Urwibutso http://www.sina.co.rw.
It is possible to replay the profile on Sina Gerard by clicking on the youtube link above.
URWIBUTSO-NYIRANGARAMA
B.P. 3652
Kigali, Rwanda
Telephone : 573804
Fax : 517425
Mobile: 08302999/ 08305111
e-mail : sina@rwanda1.com
Should you wish to replay any Africa Report episodes, they are available for viewing directly off our website. Simply click on the ‘Episodes’ tab, select the episode number that you are interested in and press play (indicated by the forward arrow). Should you wish to review only a particular feature, scroll over the episode number and a chapter menu will pop up. Click on the profile you wish to view, press play (indicated by the forward arrow).
Thank you for watching Africa Report. Stay tuned.
- Africa Report Team -
EMILY
February 5, 2010
Congratulations Mr. Sina,
If you need professional guidance on marketing, contact the under signed.
EMILY
TEL: +250 783 110887
alozie
February 13, 2010
iam very happy at the improvement on all aspects of african economy especially Rwanda considering their war.I shall i like to know if the product of sina gerald could be exported or for now it is for local consumption only.
Iam highly impressed.
kind regrads.
alozie
Prudence
March 13, 2010
Mr Sina
i just graduated from the University of Buea Cameroon haven studied JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION.I watched AFRICA REPORTS and was inspired by your hard work.im working on a clothing line project since i dont have a job and need a mentor.please i will be glade if you become that mentor because apart from the your achievement i think you have a good heart.Congratulations.
My regards
cONTACT:+23775900829
Liberata
May 4, 2010
Congratulations Mr. Sina! Your story is inspiring for any young school leaver to venture into business starting with what is available in their vicinity. Nature offers us many opportunities which go unnoticed! Thank you for this important lesson. May God bless you!
Atemkeng Maureen NKOUMKI
May 5, 2010
This is one of my best stories. It is very inspiring and brings hope to the poor and uneducated. What I like most is the fact that he is trying to educate the population even though he didn’t get good education. Some people are selfish, and will not let others get what they can’t or couldn’t.Cheers, Maureen from Cameroon.
Velelia Matumba
May 14, 2010
What a wonderful achievement.It’s inspiring, I have learnt that one can start small and grow big, surely it’s encouraging.
Hannah N Owot
May 15, 2010
Bravo,
I am encouraged that out of Africa and East Africa in particular has raise self made entrepreneurs. We need to move our attention from dependence on foreign Aid and maximize our potential. All our wealth is in our hands, how I wish we can discover this.
Dorothy
July 13, 2010
You really inspired me.I have a dream but uptil now has not materialise,and part of that dream is what you are operating.I need guidiance in how and what to do start my own backery.So insch am saying I’m saying i need a little more experience and a role model and i see that in you.I had always wish that i’ll be a blessing to my generation as yo are doing to yours.I belive that its Gods will that you help me by learning from your foot stool.I am a civil servant and i work as a government hospital as caterer,I have save upto a thousand six hundred dollars and want to invest it.I belive that the time for me to start is now if only you can assist God be your helper you wount regret it.
Dorothy Coker
Africa Report
July 13, 2010
Hi Dorothy
If you are interested in investing in an entrepreneur Click Here to check out the Africa Report Marketplace, our online space which connects entrepreneurs with investors.
Good Luck!
Africa Report
September 16, 2010
Thank you ALL for your motivational Comments!
Check out our other entrepreneurs in our ‘Top Entrepreneurs’ section on the homepage.
Xaria
October 13, 2011
What I find so interesting is that you could never find this anywhere else.