{Patrick Buchana, 23, is a humble and down to earth person who is passionate about youth development, ICT and energy but puts God and his country first before anything. He owns an ICT company named Afnov and recently started an energy company in Cote d’Ivoire producing 60MW from a hybrid of solar and biomass.}
He is also the president of Youth ICT Entrepreneurs in the ICT Chamber of PSF and on the board of Directors of Youth Literacy organization.
He has a passion for writing and is a writer in The New Times Publications.
In an Interview with IGIHE, Bucyana takes us through his business, how it developed and plans for the future. Below are excerpts of the Interview.
{{Briefly Tell us how you started your business?}}
I started everything I am doing today because I have grown up to watch the men and women that built Africa and Rwanda in particular and with that, I was challenged and felt like now it’s time to do my part. I started Afnov which is currently working on an application related to local governance in partnership with Microsoft 4 Afrika.
I then got into partnership when I saw a need for energy and I ventured in it with companies that had done it over the continent and here I am.
{{ Which secret did you use to achieve your goals despite being 23 years old?}}
The only secret is loving and obeying God while selflessly loving my country. When you love your country, you become very passionate about seeing change and addressing solutions to different needs. With that, there comes successful business.
In Habbakuk 2:2, it tells you to write your vision in plain sight so that he may see it may run. When your vision is clear and you focus on it, success comes running to you.
{{Is there any relationship between which you are today and your dreams from your childhood?}}
No, there isn’t any relationship at all. When I was a child, I wanted to become a president. Then later I wanted to become a footballer playing for Real Madrid.
That is really far from who I am right now.
{{Why did you choose to take your Business in Cote d’Ivoire?}}
I choose Cote d’Ivoire because when during AFDB meeting, I met one of their entrepreneurs and we got into a talk on the two needs of our countries then he went back home and talked to his government about the opportunity to work together on energy.
It was then that I got invited by the government and the rest is history.
We were given 65,000 acres of land in the northern part of the country called Sinématiali to set up the plant and also grow biomass and facilitated in all kinds of ways by their investment promotion agency, CEPICI, the Prime Minister’s office as well as other ministries. It was a fantastic time and right now as I speak, part of my heart lives in Cote d’Ivoire and the rest of it in my home Rwanda.
{{Is there any difference between doing business in Rwanda and in Ivory cost?}}
Yes, there is. Even though both governments are quick when supporting investment, the market in Ivory Coast is bigger and they have a port. That makes a different but the policy and system in Rwanda makes everything much easier and secure for any businessman.
{{How many people have you employed here in Rwanda and outside of the country?}}
In Rwanda, my company comprises of 7 people. An ICT company doesn’t really need a big company. In Ivory Coast, the energy plant will hire about 3000 people.
{{How much have you invested in your Business?}}
ICT businesses only need human capital and commitment with God’s guidance. The rest is all history.
{{Have you already achieved your goals?}}
No no no, I am not even half way there.
{{Estimate your achievements in percentages?}}
I could say maybe 20%. There is a lot to be done, as long as my country and the youth haven’t achieved their goals, there is still work for me to do. There is a lot for me to learn so; I think there is a lot for me to do.
{{Which barriers did you met since you started your business? }}
The only barriers are in our heads. We usually limit ourselves on what we can do. Fear to take risk. That isn’t the way to go, if it was that way, we would still be refugees in different countries.
{{What do you want to be?}}
I want to be a reflection of God’s grace and my life to be an example to many youth that they can make it.
{{Advise young people from Rwanda about entrepreneurship.}}
• Not everyone should be an entrepreneur. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment and if someone isn’t passionate about it, they are better off employed and even then they can still effect change and transform their country.
• We need to love our country and strive to be part of the 2020 success, with that mentality, we can do a lot.
• It isn’t easy to get where we want to be, but it gets easier with time and success isn’t so far.
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