Business Owners' Association (BOA)

BPN alumni entrepreneurs strengthening enterprise in Rwanda

[BPN Rwanda @BPNRwanda]

Thank you @StellaTribal 🇷🇼🇨🇭

During our learning journey, two Rwandan women entrepreneurs had the opportunity to speak at the “League of Leading Ladies” Conference in Interlaken, Switzerland.

This year’s theme, “The Chameleon Effect,” was particularly thought provoking. It explored the importance of adaptability in #leadership and #entrepreneurship, the ability to evolve, adjust, and remain resilient in times of uncertainty and change.

The full story: https://t.co/n3RdtpT7zG

#Rwanda #Switzerland

[BPN Rwanda @BPNRwanda]

The inspiring exchange with BPN’s Global CEO on what #Rwanda🇷🇼 and #Switzerland🇨🇭 continues to learn from one another through entrepreneurship, discipline, innovation, and long-term thinking, was truly transformational.

Thank you, Willi Helbling, for taking the time for these honest and enriching conversations, and for the continued commitment of the BPN Foundation to fostering entrepreneurship and private sector development in Rwanda over the years.

[BPN Rwanda @BPNRwanda]

Thank You Anne-Marie & Werner Berner | Rwanda – Switzerland🇷🇼🇨🇭

One of the many reasons the exposure trip to #Switzerland became possible for #Rwandan entrepreneurs is the generous and faithful support of the Friends of BPN.

During a sponsored lunch hosted in Erlinsbach, Rwandan entrepreneurs experienced yet another strength of Switzerland: intentional hospitality rooted in quality, craftsmanship, and deep pride in local produce and local identity.

The full story: https://t.co/usebY0XgNi

[BPN Rwanda @BPNRwanda]

Switzerland through the lens of Rwandan SMEs -🇨🇭🇷🇼 Episode 11/11.

Rwandan entrepreneurs visited Rega, a Swiss air-rescue organization. Founded in 1952, Rega is a highly respected, non-profit emergency medical rescue service in Switzerland.

Rega operates:
➡️Around 20 rescue helicopters
➡️14 helicopter bases across Switzerland
➡️3 ambulance jets for international medical repatriation missions

One remarkable aspect is that Rega is privately funded through millions of individual supporters (“patrons”). Rega is almost an institution of national trust and solidarity.

Key Takeaways:
➡️One of the great strengths of Switzerland is how deeply the private sector contributes to the public good.

The full story: https://t.co/j9LjDDmZK5

#Rwanda #Switzerland

[BPN Rwanda @BPNRwanda]

Switzerland through the lens of Rwandan SMEs – Ngabo Karegeya - 🇨🇭🇷🇼Episode 10/11

“Two weeks ago, through the support of BPN Rwanda, I had the opportunity to travel to #Switzerland for a business study visit.

I learned many lessons, but a few stood out:
➡️Innovation is key.
➡️Use space and resources wisely.
➡️Preparation creates excellence.
➡️Time management is a form of respect.
➡️Customer care is not a favor; it is part of the product and service.

The importance of humility, dreaming big, growth, and having a clear strategy to execute our dreams.” says @Ngabo_Karegeya.

The full story: https://t.co/cpMt35aPsX

#SMEs #Switzerland #Rwanda #Entrepreneurship

[BPN Rwanda @BPNRwanda]

Switzerland through the lens of Rwandan SMEs🇨🇭🇷🇼 Episode 6/11

Ahead of the Inspiration Switzerland journey, entrepreneurs were invited by BPN Rwanda’s partner company, @introspecto, to undertake a personality profile assessment.

On a beautiful Wednesday afternoon in Switzerland, at the iconic Gurten, leadership expert Urs Stauffer handed each participant a personalized summary of their assessment results, followed by deep dives into key leadership principles.

The experience sparked profound reflection on personality profiles, behavior, and the critical role self-awareness plays in leadership and teamwork.

Key lesson: Self-awareness is a leadership strategy. It is not about becoming someone else, but about understanding yourself well enough to grow intentionally.

The full story: https://t.co/sFQ3EGav03

#Rwanda #SMEs #Entrepreneurship #Leadership

[BPN Rwanda @BPNRwanda]

Switzerland through the lens of Rwandan SMEs🇨🇭🇷🇼 Episode 5/11 – Visit to @isolutionsag.

One of the highlights of the #Rwandan SMEs’ visit, was to spend a morning with the CEO and Co-founder of @isolutionsag in Bern, Switzerland.

Founded in an underground shelter by three visionary students, including brothers @benregez and @joshRegez, aged just 18 and 19, @isolutionsag has grown into Switzerland’s leading Microsoft-focused digital transformation company, employing more than 300 people.

➡️Key takeaway:

Strong businesses are built by leaders who continuously choose to grow, learn, and believe. And who bring their teams along on that same journey of growth, curiosity, and transformation.

The full story: https://t.co/A5j6jMPMV0

#Rwanda #SMEs #Entrepreneurship #Leadership

[BPN Rwanda @BPNRwanda]

This April, for the second time, @BPNRwanda 🇷🇼 travelled with 20 #SMEs to #Switzerland,🇨🇭ranked #1 globally in innovation, and a benchmark for #skills development, excellence, and #Tourism.

Follow this week’s insights:
“Switzerland through the lens of Rwandan SMEs.”

#Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Tourism #Entrepreneurship #Grow2Scale
@MastercardFdn @AliceNkulikiyi1 @Ngabo_Karegeya @DIMSKigali

[BPN Rwanda @BPNRwanda]

#Switzerland through the lens of Rwandan SMEs - Episode 3/11🇨🇭🇷🇼

From near collapse to global leadership.
At @Swatch, #Rwandan SMEs explored how a deep industry crisis triggered one of the boldest reinventions in business history.

Swatch redefined the market, combining design, affordability, and automation to revive an entire sector. At the same time, @omegawatches was repositioned as a premium global brand within the same revived ecosystem.

Key takeaway: When #SMEs adapt and collaborate, they can redefine an entire industry.

The full story: https://t.co/caoF8yCfC4

#TheAfricaWeWant #SMEGrowth #Rwanda #Tourism

[BPN Rwanda @BPNRwanda]

Episode 1/11🇨🇭🇷🇼
#Switzerland produces virtually no cocoa itself, yet stands among the world’s most influential producers of high-end #chocolate.

With #Rwandan SMEs, we went on a quest to understand why.

We visited @Läderach a globally leading premium chocolate brand. A 3rd-generation family business, now present in 27 countries with 250 shops and 2,500 employees worldwide, yet still deeply rooted in craftsmanship.

Key takeaway:
Great products are not accidental. They are built on expertise, uncompromising quality standards, and brand power. Consistently applied over time.

The full story 👉🏾: https://t.co/QzsNfRArvu

@MastercardFdn @bpn_boa @AliceNkulikiyi1 @DIMSKigali @Ngabo_Karegeya @keza_nadia
@aflimba

[BPN Rwanda @BPNRwanda]

Episode 2/11🇨🇭🇷🇼
A visit to @BlumerLehmann, a world-class Swiss timber industry and timber construction company based in Gossau, #Switzerland, employing 630 highly skilled staff.

Blumer Lehmann reflects a classic Swiss industrial model:

✅Family-owned roots with long-term thinking
✅Strong technical specialization (timber engineering)
✅Gradual partnership with larger groups to scale
✅Continued family influence even during expansion

Key takeaway:
Strong systems, not size, define scalable businesses.

The full story: https://t.co/bYuqLz1tAm

@MastercardFdn @AliceNkulikiyi1 @Ngabo_Karegeya @aflimba