{{Five years ago today (30th July 2009), a group of young students officially begun a journey that would tremendously revolutionize the Rwandan media landscape with the birth of IGIHE news website – www.igihe.com.}}
As University students pursuing different courses, most of us had numerous dreams and career aspirations to achieve after graduation.
With an entrepreneurial burning desire since childhood, I always dreamt of being self-employed. Though I had various other start-up businesses running, I still hadn’t discovered a business that I am truly passionate about.
With the new media technological advancements and the birth of social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube – building a social network was the in thing!
In search of self-discovery, we realized that there was untapped potential in online news story telling mostly in Rwanda.
Besides, Rwanda’s story was being tarnished with the biased online reporting – of the post-Genocide recovery – websites owned and operated by genocidal agents.
We imagined telling the true Rwandan story in the most efficient way, and to reach the whole wide globe. There was no better platform than the ‘Internet’; a new phenomenon that not very many Rwandans knew about.
Together with students from many universities in Rwanda – such as National University of Rwanda (NUR), Kigali Institute of Education (KIE), Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) – we planned, strategized and built the premier news website www.igihe.com – exclusively written in the local Kinyarwanda language for all Rwandese everywhere.
With a zero budget, no business model, unpaid volunteers, no business expertise, no office; the IGIHE team was just driven by passion and dream to make our business idea a reality.
With one ancient desktop computer used by over 10 writers, our journey begun in a small garage in Muhima, and a university campus room in Butare as offices!
Just after four months, now registered under IGIHE Ltd, we started writing and writing!
We were doing things the entrepreneurial way, and telling the {Rwandaful} story of a nation re-born – economic prosperity, unity and reconciliation, good governance, press freedom, and zero tolerance to corruption.
We started IGIHE, as a student-run company to sell news, make extra money to supplement the insufficient monthly student allowances.
With a highly disciplined, committed, passionate and talented team, under my rookie leadership, we embarked on a journey that grew from just under 200 monthly website views to 5,000 monthly views.
Soon, our clientele also grew as well as revenues driven by new strategies and more experience gained. Our strategy focused on responsible reporting, quality content and fast reliable delivery.
Some businesses started embracing online news websites. Businesses started believing in and gave us some adverts, a huge foundation for our business.
IGIHE inspired a new revolution of online-based businesses as Rwandans embraced the internet, and online news was the most on demand.
Within one year and a half, www.igihe.com was the most visited local website – behind only Facebook, Twitter and Google. With strategic investments, local and international recognition, IGIHE brand grew to massive levels that even us never imagined.
As we celebrate our 5th anniversary today, we are proud of the role we have played in the revolution of the internet and technology in Rwanda.
There are more than 50 online websites – dealing in business, news, entertainment, lifestyle, and sports news – today.
Today, we are proud to have inspired a generation of youthful entrepreneurs; inspired a new generation of passionate Rwandan youth ready to take a lead in their nation’s development.
Today, we have improved livelihoods through provision of employment, contributed to national development through paying taxes and growth of the media sector.
Today, there is huge accountable governance as leaders are accountable to their subjects; IGIHE has provided a voice to the voiceless through balanced reporting.
Today, IGIHE has contributed to skills development and capacity building through provision of internships to nurture professional journalists and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Today, IGIHE Ltd is not only www.igihe.com; there is the famous news website in three major languages (Kinyarwanda, English, French), and crossed the regional barriers, now also available in Kirundi!
Today, IGIHE Ltd is doing business the professional way – revised our business mode with strategic investments of focus on content development, video production, online streaming, and social media management.
Today, IGIHE Ltd would not be where it is, without our main supporter, our clients and audience for believing in us. Our success is all because of you.
Today, we are still growing, there are numerous challenges especially in capacity building; but we are still growing every day. As Rwanda swiftly moves to achieve EDPRS II objectives aligned with the Vision 2020; at IGIHE, we are moving as fast.
Today we have built a brand. We have a strong online and dedicated social community – Facebook (over 47,000 likes), Twitter (over 8,500 followers), and most importantly over 60,000 daily visits for IGIHE.com.
Today, our client portfolio has grown. We are doing business with reputable local and international corporations operating in all sectors of the Rwandan economy. They trust and believe in us.
Today, we are celebrating five years of a great successful journey. We are still working day and night, we promise to grow even bigger and better together.
Happy 20th Liberation Day.
{{ Meilleur Murindabigwi, CEO, IGIHE Ltd}}
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