{"id":2000105305,"date":"2026-03-13T12:25:54","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T10:25:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/?p=2000105305"},"modified":"2026-03-13T19:17:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T17:17:06","slug":"new-faces-new-voices-rwanda-marks-10-years-advancing-womens-economic-participation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/new-faces-new-voices-rwanda-marks-10-years-advancing-womens-economic-participation\/","title":{"rendered":"New Faces New Voices Rwanda marks 10 years advancing women\u2019s economic participation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

New Faces New Voices Rwanda is a non-profit organization that advances women\u2019s economic participation through financial inclusion, entrepreneurship development, and leadership strengthening, ensuring women are active contributors to Rwanda\u2019s economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since its establishment in Rwanda in 2015, NFNV has worked to expand women\u2019s access to finance, entrepreneurship skills, cooperative structures, and leadership opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organization equips women with practical tools to earn income, manage finances, access markets, and participate in local economic decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past decade, this work has contributed to visible shifts at the community level. Young women who once operated informal or subsistence activities have formalized businesses through cooperatives, entered trades traditionally dominated by men, and strengthened household income through collective enterprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young women with disabilities have also expanded their economic independence through targeted support and improved access to financial services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The anniversary event in Ruhango highlighted these experiences as examples of how women shape local economic systems when barriers are reduced and opportunities are expanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NFNV\u2019s progress has been supported by strong partnerships over the past decade, including collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and Rugori Investment Network through the Women-led, Women-owned MSME Investment Readiness Program, as well as partnerships with UN Women and other institutions advancing inclusive economic empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NFNV also established Rugori Investment Network as a sister organization to strengthen access to capital for women entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within this ecosystem, New Faces New Voices Rwanda operates as an incubator supporting women-led businesses with training, mentorship, and investment readiness, while Rugori Investment Network serves as the investment partner investing in prepared entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As guest of honor, Reeta Roy, former CEO and President of the Mastercard Foundation, emphasized the importance of generational leadership: \u201cThere is something deeply generational about the work being done. When older women pass their skills and knowledge to younger ones, they ensure continuity and long-term resilience. That is exactly what New Faces New Voices Rwanda is helping to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A young program participant also reflected on her experience: \u201cNew Faces New Voices helped me believe in myself. Through this journey, I learned that I can lead others and have a clear direction for my life, especially knowing that NFNV is walking alongside me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joy S. Rwamwenge, CEO of New Faces New Voices Rwanda, highlighted the organization\u2019s impact, from supporting 35 cooperatives in its early pilot to over 460 cooperatives creating 11,500 youth in work today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith a presence in 28 districts across Rwanda, we are witnessing what happens when preparation meets opportunity for women entrepreneurs,\u201d she said<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As NFNV enters its second decade, the organization seeks to focus on strengthening pathways from skills to income, deepening financial inclusion for underserved women, and working with partners to embed inclusive economic practices within cooperatives, financial institutions, and local markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With ten years of progress, the organisation emphasizes, the next phase will focus on scale, sustainability, and systems that work for women over the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Reeta Roy, Former President of Mastercard Foundation, with Ivan Ntwali, Mastercard Foundation Country Director for Rwanda. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Reeta Roy, former CEO and President of the Mastercard Foundation, toured the exhibitions and interacted with the participants.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Joy Ndungutse Board Chair of New Faces, New Voices also graced the event. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Joy S. Rwamwenge, CEO of New Faces New Voices Rwanda, highlighted the organization\u2019s impact, growing from 35 pilot cooperatives to over 460, now engaging 11,500 youth in work.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
Representatives from partner institutions joined the celebration of a decade of women\u2019s economic empowerment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Participants gather in Ruhango as New Faces New Voices Rwanda marks 10 years of advancing women\u2019s economic participation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Participants listen during discussions on strengthening women-led enterprises.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Women who benefited from entrepreneurship programs showcased the impact of skills training and mentorship.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Leaders and partners reflected on a decade of empowering women economically across Rwanda.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
The anniversary event highlighted how women are shaping local economies through entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Young women supported by New Faces New Voices Rwanda shared their experiences during the 10-year anniversary event in Ruhango District.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Women entrepreneurs attended the anniversary event celebrating a decade of impact by New Faces New Voices Rwanda.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Women were appreciated for their dedication. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Young women supported by New Faces New Voices showcased their agricultural products.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Other showcased art products. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Different products were showcased by the beneficiaries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
The organization seeks to focus on strengthening pathways from skills to income, deepening financial inclusion for underserved women<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New Faces New Voices Rwanda (NFNV) , on March 10, 2026, marked ten years of advancing women\u2019s economic participation, reflecting on the progress made and the work that remains to strengthen inclusive economic systems across Rwanda.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2000105319,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[69],"byline":[170],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-2000105305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people","tag-homehighlights","byline-igihe"],"bylines":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"contributors":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"featured_image":{"id":2000105319,"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4P8A7236.jpg","alt":"","caption":"Representatives from partner institutions joined the celebration of a decade of women\u2019s economic empowerment.","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":1000,"height":667,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4P8A7236.jpg","width":150,"height":100},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4P8A7236.jpg","width":300,"height":200},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4P8A7236.jpg","width":768,"height":512},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4P8A7236.jpg","width":1000,"height":667},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4P8A7236.jpg","width":1000,"height":667}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000105305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2000105305"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000105305\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2000105379,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000105305\/revisions\/2000105379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000105319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2000105305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2000105305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2000105305"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=2000105305"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=2000105305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}