The Oxfam

Enterprise

Development

Programme

SUPPORTING PEOPLE TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES WHICH LIFT

THOUSANDS OF THE WORLD’S POOREST FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY

“This business has

changed my life.”

Madeleine, 40, is part of the Shekina Enterprise

in Rwanda, that dries, processes and sells

cassava leaves.

Photo: Eleanor Farmer

2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT

2

Letter from Fabian / Intro to EDP

ABOUT EDP

Oxfam has more than 70 years’ experience

working with the world’s poorest people.

Time and again these people tell us that

what they need – more than anything

else – is a stable income so they can

provide the basics for their families.

The World Bank says the most effective

way to reduce extreme poverty in remote

rural areas, where most of the world’s

poor live, is to create successful,

sustainable small and medium sized

businesses.

A big business has access to bank loans.

A small business can access micro-

finance. In the middle of these two

extremes almost no support is available,

and too many families continue to suffer

as a result.

Oxfam’s Enterprise Development

Programme is helping to fill this gap,

investing money donated by UK

entrepreneurs, philanthropists and

partners to help promising businesses

grow, providing a tailored package of

loans, grants or bank-guarantees

combined with expert advice, guidance

and training.

The jobs and associated opportunities

created from growing sustainable

businesses have the power to lift

thousands of the world’s poorest families

out of poverty.

By investing in business, we are

transforming lives.

The board

Rajesh Agrawal, Board Chair

Gavin Stewart, Chair of Investment Committee

Mahnaz Safa, Member

Stuart Sweeney, Member

Ursula van Almsick, Member

3

This report reflects on 2015/16, and the success and challenges faced

when working with enterprises in some of the most difficult environments

around the world. It has been a year of significant and exciting change for

the Enterprise Development Programme (EDP).

We were delighted to welcome Rajesh Agrawal, founder of London-based

foreign exchange company RationalFX and Deputy Mayor of London for

Business as Chair of the EDP Board.

In our five focus countries - Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Honduras, Nepal and

Rwanda - we have been concentrating on strengthening our strategies and

staffing. We are excited to welcome Shafiqur Khan as the new EDP lead in

Bangladesh and Prakash Subedi as the EDP lead in Nepal.

A special emphasis was also placed on identifying new business

opportunities. Of over 100 enterprises identified we submitted eight

proposals to our Investment Committee who approved two: CREPAIMASUL in

Honduras (p. 11) and Tuzamurane in Rwanda (p. 14).

In terms of portfolio performance we reached a significant milestone with

the combined revenues of our 14 enterprises growing by 26% to surpass

£1 million.

Climate change continues to be a strong risk factor for the businesses we

support. This year the El Niño phenomenon has significantly affected

production for at least two of our portfolio enterprises.

However, EDP continues to benefit thousands of people directly, through

businesses and their supply chains. We have also seen progress on the

social impact achieved. Notably, our portfolio enterprises have almost

tripled the number of jobs supported, reaching 145 full-time equivalent jobs

in 2016. Of these, 52% are filled by women compared to 20% three years

ago. Women’s participation has also increased at farmer and leadership

levels.

As we enter the second year in EDP’s phase two, I look forward to working

with new and existing partners to achieve the ambitious goals we have set

for EDP. It is a unique initiative with a strong role to play in the local

business ecosystems where we work.

Fabian Llinares

EDP Manager

MANAGER’s REVIEW

“

We reached a

significant

milestone with the

combined revenues

of our 14

enterprises growing

by 26%, to surpass

£1M.

“

4

HIGHLIGHTS 2015/16

Total combined sales of all EDP

enterprises amounted to £1,106,000 in

2015/16 - 26% higher than the year

before

Total enterprise revenues have tripled

since joining EDP between two and six

years ago.

* All figures are for the 14 enterprises in the

portfolio.

PORTFOLIO REVENUES

PORTFOLIO STATUS

Enterprise /

Status

2015/16 trend

and highlights

Enterprise /

Status

2015/16 trend

and highlights

Rwanda / cassava

Shekina

Sales up 104% and

profitable since 2015

Honduras / cashew

CREPAIMASUL

New Secured export

contracts for 2016

Tanzania / sisal

Shinyanga Processors

Replicated from 5 to 50

enterprises since 2012.

Honduras / vegetables

APROALCE

= Drought reduced production

Nepal / rice

Nawalparasi

Sales up by 69% on

previous year

Ethiopia / honey

Zembaba

= Beehive workshop

expanding slowly

Ethiopia / food oil

Assosa

Sales up by 58%; profitable

since 2015

Nepal / seeds

Pavitra

= Modest sales, but new plant

now in operation

Nepal / vegetables

DAFACOS

Sales up 65%, started

vegetables trading unit

Armenia / fruit cannery

Mirg

= In advanced negotiation

with new buyer in Russia

Bolivia / cocoa

APARAB

Sales tripled, though risk

that next harvest is poor

Honduras / vegetables

CAEOL

Phasing out as margins too

low

Rwanda/pineapple

Tuzamurane

New Stepped up export sales

of dried pineapple

Bangladesh / chillies

CTE-Fulchari

Phasing out as margins too

low

EDP LOAN FUND

36% of the total £1.1m

disbursed in loans has now

been recovered to be

reinvested in the portfolio

The average EDP loan is

£60,000—commercial investors

typically only consider

investing upwards of £250,000

49% of disbursed loan funds

were used for equipment and

infrastructure, 51% were used

for working capital

EDP FUNDING

£4m disbursed to support EDP

enterprises, with further £0.3m

to be disbursed imminently

£1.1m raised from supporters

since 2015 towards £6m target

for period 2015-2019

First meeting of new

EDP Board took place in June

2016

* Green indicates that the enterprise is performing very well, orange indicates that the enterprise has needs to address, and red indicates that

there is cause for concern. Sales increased = Sales level Sales decreased

£348,000

£606,000

£880,000

£1,106,000

£0

£200,000

£400,000

£600,000

£800,000

£1,000,000

£1,200,000

Before EDP 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16

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HIGHLIGHTS 2015/16

PIPELINE DEVELOPMENT IN 2015/16

100+ businesses

identified

50 businesses

visited & reviewed

8 submissions to

Investment

Committee

2 approved

in 2015/16

IMPACT

Nearly 29,000 farmers have

benefitted so far from the

support of EDP

About 41% of them are women

Women also represent 52% of

the 145 full-time equivalent

jobs supported

By 2020, our aim is that 249,000

of the world’s poorest people

will have directly benefited

through EDP enterprises

EDP TEAM

Fabian Llinares, who has led

EDP in Latin America for the last

four years, has taken over from

Hugo Sintes as EDP Manager. An

engineer by training, he had

previously worked as a Director

of an accelerator of social

enterprises in Mexico.

Shafique Khan joined Oxfam in

May 2016 to lead EDP in

Bangladesh. He brings a wealth

of experience in the banking

sector having been Chief

Operating Officer, and Head of

Small and Medium Enterprise

finance for various small

financial institutions.

Prakash Subedi joined Oxfam

in July 2016 to lead EDP in

Nepal. He has held various

enterprise advisory positions

including as EDP Officer in 2012

as part of a maternity cover. He

holds an MBA and has also

founded a successful animal

feed business.

It’s important that businesses fulfil a number of our carefully selected criteria to ensure they have

maximum social impact. We therefore have a rigorous review and selection process to choose only

the very best opportunities to make a difference.

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bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries, and one of the most vulnerable to

climate change. With a long history in providing microfinance, the country is now trying to develop

strong agricultural, and small and medium enterprise (SME) sectors.

Oxfam has long had a strong livelihoods programme in the country, with activities in enterprise

development, agriculture, women’s empowerment and climate change adaption.

ENTERPRISES

CTE-FULCHARI produce: CHilli

BACKGROUND

EDP made its first investment in Bangladesh in 2013, to CTE-Fulchari (Chilli Traders Enterprise of

Fulchari), based in Gaibandha in the Rangpur Division of Northern Bangladesh.

Updates

Farmers now have various channels to market, including through this enterprise. Chilli production

remains very attractive for thousands of them, and many women joined production and adopted

more profitable and sustainable practices thanks to EDP.

The enterprise trades chillies but unfortunately struggled to reach scale in a market with

increasing competition from cheaper imports. Oxfam is concluding negotiations with CTE-Fulchari

and local partners so that EDP can phase out our investment. The new plan will see the enterprise

continue to operate at lower scale and with a smaller management team, while it explores

partnerships with more experienced traders.

Oxfam’s financial intermediary has also agreed to continue providing finance to farmers and the

enterprise after Oxfam’s cash guarantee ends and Oxfam recovers the loan portion of our

investment.

PIPELINE

In the meantime Oxfam has worked with various other small enterprises, and is planning for its next

investment in 2016. Over 40 businesses were identified, some of which are listed below, and these will

pass through rigorous checks to determine if they should enter the EDP portfolio:

Enterprise Description Status

Two potato

businesses

Two enterprises, with £30,000 and £100,000

turnover, supplying to booming potato

industry

Businesses first reviewed in 2016, submission to

follow in October 2016.

Door-to-door

distributor

Food company introducing door-to-door

delivery of fresh products As above.

Basil tea processor Enterprise sources basil from women farmers

to make tea

Investment Committee approved support to

improve financial records and manufacturing

process, but no further investments approved.

Fruit bag distributor

Enterprise sells paper bags which farmers use

to cover fruits on trees as alternative to

pesticides

Submitted to the Investment Committee (IC) in

2016. After further discussions on matters

including marketing, management etc the IC felt

the enterprise did not fit EDP’s criteria.

Bakery products Social enterprise producing biscuits and other

products, reinvests profits in the community

Initial conversations on business plan and needs

has been begun.

7

bangladesh

‘Since we’ve been growing chillies we’ve been suffering less during the flood. We sell them

and we can save money - that money I can use to spend on food and clothes for my children,

and also on school for my daughter’.

Joygun Islam is a member of the chilli producer group, and has been receiving training from

Oxfam on growing and selling chillies.

Since training she has noticed a big change and has more confidence and self belief. She is

proud of her bright red chillies. For her, they signify a huge change in her life over the last

three years.

Photo: Abir Abdullah/Oxfam

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ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia is a large country, with amazing richness and positive economic growth. However this is

combined with recurrent cases of food insecurity; in 2015 it was hit by a prolonged drought, in part due

to the El Niño weather phenomenon, the devastating effects of which have stretched into 2016.

Oxfam was one of the first non-governmental organisations to work in Ethiopia, and works primarily in

the Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions.

ENTERPRISES

ASSOSA produce: food oil

BACKGROUND

EDP’s first (and largest) investment in Ethiopia was in Assosa, a federation of co-operatives based

700km west of Addis Ababa which trades oilseed crops, and set up a small factory to produce edible oil.

Updates

Assosa’s sales in the previous nine months to June 2016 amounted to £258,000, a record for the

company, and 58% higher than the previous 12 months on record for 2014/15. The company has

been profitable for two consecutive seasons and is using its moderate profits to prepare for

further growth. This was the first factory in this poor area of Ethiopia, on the border with Sudan,

and today it’s a strong symbol for farmers, students and authorities of what economic

development can be.

While continuing to trade seeds, including soybeans (which have been recently sold to the

Ethiopian government as part of the humanitarian response), the enterprise processes niger seeds

into oil; but sales were lower in the last period due to operational problems. Thanks to a small

donation coming from Switzerland, the enterprise will be able to replace the oil pressing machine.

Farmers in this area are some of the poorest in EDP (at 50 pence/day in 2010), and those involved

with Assosa have significantly benefited from higher yields and prices (up 40% and 200%

respectively since 2010). One third of Assosa’s 13,000 members are also women, a significant

increase from 6% in 2009. The enterprise has also created 12 full-time equivalent jobs, seven of

which are held by women, and helped organise 22 women’s savings groups.

Bayush Kassan (left) and Belaynesh

Hussen with a machine at the

Assosa Edible Oil Processing

Facility, part of the Assosa Farmers

Multipurpose Co-operative Union.

Bayush (37) lives in the village of

Amba Sebat, 20km from the town of

Assosa, with her daughter Genet

and son Destaw. She grows sesame

and other oil-seeds and her village

co-operative is part of the Assosa

Farmers Multipurpose Co-operative

Union. The Union buys Bayush's

seed for almost double the average

price paid to her by private traders.

Ph

oto

: T

om

Pie

tra

sik

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ETHIOPIA

ZEMBABA produce: HONEY

BACKGROUND

In 2010, EDP made an investment in Zembaba, based 550km north of Addis Ababa, in Bahir Dar, to help

the co-operative set up a workshop to produce beehives.

Updates

Zembaba continues to expand the carpentry workshop which manufactures beehives for local

beekeepers, reaching 300 beehives per month in the first months of 2016. The enterprise is in

need of more working capital to continue expanding and Oxfam started negotiations with the

Credit Union that lends alongside Oxfam to explore ways of releasing extra finance.

Zembaba has also diversified into other activities, including the export of honey to Europe. This

proved to be a very lengthy process with the need to acquire various permits and certifications. It

also bought refining equipment and honey containers which were imported from South Africa. If

the first order sells successfully, there is strong demand for its honey.

The number of farmers involved in Zembaba continues to increase and is close to 6,000. Beehives

are manufactured to significantly improve yields and create an opportunity for women, who find it

difficult to operate traditional beehives. The enterprise also supports 15 jobs, six of which are held

by women.

PIPELINE

While we work with current enterprises to fully establish them, we are not proactively seeking new

investments in the short term. We plan to support a small number of new enterprises in the future.

Women from the village of Mecha,

dressed in protective clothing,

during a workshop at the

Ambrosia beekeeping

demonstration and training centre

in Mecha.

The formation of the Zembaba Bee

Products Development and

Marketing Co-operative Union is

an attempt to realise the

potential of honey production and

ensure that the benefits reach

small producers. By providing

modern, high-yield hives,

protective equipment and training

to beekeepers, the Co-operative

Union helps increase production,

boost farmer’s income, and

secure a steady supply of honey

for which there is growing

demand both in and beyond

Ethiopia. Photo: Tom Pietrasik

10

HONDURAs

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, and sadly one of most violent. Oxfam has

strong links with a number of banks and government programmes, which look at EDP as one of the few

models with a diverse set of financial and non-financial services, as well as a strong emphasis on

commercial viability.

With the newest investments, Oxfam is trying to work with enterprises which support poor people in rural

areas, and in particular women, which are particularly innovative and more resilient to unreliable weather

patterns.

ENTERPRISES

APROALCE produce: fruit and vegetables

BACKGROUND

EDP’s first investment in Honduras was in 2009 in the Asociación de Productores del Altiplano de Celaque

(APROALCE), a local co-operative that trades fruit and vegetables. APROALCE has seen a massive

increase in sales of vegetables in their time with EDP, going from £7,000 in 2009 to £124,000 in 2012.

Updates

In the last three years the enterprise failed to maintain its previous level of sales (sales were

£91,000 in 2015), partly due to changes in weather patterns which have reduced production.

The enterprise has an experienced Board and a strong management team, and Oxfam has helped

them access additional support from a government programme which will enable more farmers to

set up irrigation schemes. This, together with stronger marketing efforts, should allow the

enterprise to restore sales levels and recover profitability (the enterprise relied on grants of about

10% of revenues last year to run operations).

“When I joined I was only growing lettuce

but since then I have learnt how to

diversify my crop. I know how the markets

work and what kind of produce they want.

The training has also taught us how to

pack our goods properly so when they

arrive at the city they’re still high quality.

“I work with my family, so what we have

learnt has helped all of us. Because

of APROALCE and EDP, I am able to have my

own land that I can work and grow on, I

can afford to maintain my vehicle. I am

also very proud that I have been able to

send my son to study.”

Adrian de Dios is a farmer, and member

of APROALCE. He produces lettuce,

cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli.

Ph

oto

: E

lea

no

r F

arm

er

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HONDURAS

CREPAIMASUL produce: cashew nuts

BACKGROUND

In 2015, with support from Fundación para el Desarrollo Empresarial Rural (FUNDER), Oxfam approved an

investment in Cooperativa Regional de Productores Agroindustriales de Marañón del Sur Limitada

(CREPAIMASUL). CREPAIMASUL works in the dry department of Choluteca, in the Corredor Seco, but has

specialised in cashew nuts, recommended by the government and experts as a suitable crop in such dry

climates.

Updates

The enterprise had sales of £36,000 in 2015 and is expecting a significant increase in its first year

with EDP. The priority has been to improve the manufacturing processes, and sign contracts with

buyers, including in Germany. The business also needs to recruit a new manager, though it is

difficult to attract experienced people who are keen to move to this remote area for a reasonable

salary. In the meantime Oxfam is assisting the production manager with marketing and financial

management functions.

The enterprise supports 30 staff on the plant, 25 of whom are women. Women also make up 30% of

the Board members. The number of farmers is planned to grow from 180 last year to over 300

this year.

CAEOL produce: vegetables

Updates

In 2014, Oxfam approved a second investment in the Coperativa Agricola Esfuerzo Occidental

Limitada (CAEOL), which also specialises in vegetables. However, this was phased out after the

pilot phase showed competition was higher than expected and margins too low.

PIPELINE

Oxfam is working with local partners to identify new socially inclusive and innovative businesses for

Honduras. First is an entrepreneur-led honey business with a successful product range which will be

reviewed by the Investment Committee in October 2016.

“I am Vice President of the co-operative. As

the Vice President, I have to keep control of all

the things that the other members do.

“Cashews have raised me. Before, when

middlemen used to come, they used to pay

L.75 per sack. And now, we sell the sack at

L.650. You can see the difference there.

“To make it through, make the co-operative

bigger - that is what we need. My dream for the

co-operative is to make it grow more to have

more profit.”

Rebecca, 56

Cashew Farmer and Vice President of

CREPAIMASUL Co-operative Photo: Eleanor Farmer

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NEPAL

Nepal is one of the world’s poorest countries. Agriculture is essential to the economy and 80% of it

depends on the labour of women; however women only own 19% of the land. Oxfam is one of the few

organisations working in private sector development, particularly in the mid-west and far western

regions.

In April 2015, Nepal suffered a major earthquake that left nearly 9,000 people dead and destroyed more

than 850,000 homes. While EDP’s enterprises were unharmed, overall trade has suffered. This was made

worse by ongoing political unrest, causing strikes and road blockades.

ENTERPRISES

PAVITRA produce: vegetable seeds

BACKGROUND

Pavitra (Pavitra Jankalyan Agriculture Co-operative) was set up in 2001 in Surkhet, mid-west Nepal,

400km from Kathmandu. It was Oxfam’s first investment in Nepal and has since achieved many

milestones, being the first such co-operative to supply to large manufacturers, and the first to join the

regional Chamber of Commerce and receive a loan by a private bank.

Updates

This year, Pavitra became the first co-operative to process seeds and sell them in small packets

with the company’s brand. This was largely thanks to the leadership of chair Mr. Naulsingh Khatri

and the other farmers on the Board.

The enterprise achieved £32,000 of sales in the year to March 2016 and has plans to grow by 50%

in the coming year, focusing on processed seeds, which offer higher margins. Seven metric tons

have already been contracted with local retailers. The enterprise should break even in 2017. In the

meantime, Kumari Bank, Oxfam’s partner, agreed to maintain the lending facility to the enterprise,

meaning Oxfam could recover 95% of our deposit, as per the initial agreement.

The enterprise has grown from two to seven full-time jobs, and sources from 1,340 farmers (74%

women), up from 216 (47% women) in 2011.

DAFACOS produce: vegetables and vegetable seeds

BACKGROUND

Dadeldhura Farmers’ Co-operative Society (DAFACOS) is based in Dadeldhura district, one of Nepal’s most

remote regions 500km west of Kathmandu. The area’s high altitude (400-2,500m), along with its good

soil and rainfall conditions, offers the potential to grow seeds as well as off-season vegetables, which

are in high demand in lowland markets. The enterprise was established in 1998 and joined the EDP

portfolio in 2012.

Updates

In the twelve months running to March 2016, the enterprise achieved record sales of £81,000 and

is now very close to breaking even. In the last year, the enterprise successfully introduced sales of

vegetables to complement seed trading. However, this was slower than predicted, as strikes and

road blockades slowed operations across the country.

The enterprise has grown its membership to 997 farmers (50% women) - up from 600 - and is

supporting seven full-time equivalent jobs, up from just one at the start of EDP’s intervention.

13

NEPAL

NAWALPARASI produce: RICE

BACKGROUND

The Small Farmer Food Industries rice mill in Nawalparasi (NAWALPARASI) is Oxfam’s latest investment in

the country (2014) and is located in the lowlands of central Nepal, 249km from Kathmandu. The area has

huge potential for commercial rice production but farmers have found it hard to produce beyond

subsistence levels due to limited access to quality seeds, appropriate technology, fertilisers and market

facilities.

Updates

Since 2013, the mill has grown massively from £60,000 at the start to £202,000 sales in the year

ending September 2015. The enterprise has built strong partnerships, is now selling to 34

customers in 12 districts and has written agreements with four buyers. Oxfam and the enterprise

have agreed to launch a survey to identify new buyers and help adjust the marketing strategy to

further improve margins.

In addition to the mill, Oxfam is helping three smaller enterprises, or ‘one-window shops’, which

sell seeds and tools to farmers. These only started in 2015 and already achieved joint sales of

£53,000 last year. As many as 3,375 farmers have joined the co-operative network and 88% of the

active suppliers of rice are women.

PIPELINE

Oxfam is identifying new potential enterprises in Nepal and started a partnership with business

incubator Rockstart to identify and build the capacity of new enterprises.

“I used to produce 500-700kg of maize. I used to sell the surplus in the local market and earned

around NPR 2,000 per season. Nowadays I produce around 1.5 tonnes of maize seed from the same

land, and save around NPR 30,000 per season. DAFACOS has been providing me quality seeds at a

reasonable price at the right time along with business development support and market linkages.

All this has helped me double my production and get a good market price.”

Uma Koli, farmer and member of DAFACOS

Photo: Swikriti Sharma

14

RWANDA

Rwanda is a small, landlocked country, with a population of 12 million people. Over twenty years since

the appalling 1994 genocide, the economy is now growing at 7% a year. The government is very

supportive of private sector development and new models of support are emerging.

Oxfam is prioritising businesses in the food sector that help women and young people.

ENTERPRISES

SHEKINA produce: cassava leaves

BACKGROUND

Oxfam began supporting Shekina - which works with cassava leaves, a key product for locals and the

diaspora - in 2014. It is led by local food entrepreneur Damien Mbatezimana. The enterprise sources

cassava leaves from local women, now organised with support from Oxfam into local collection centres.

The leaves are then dried and packaged into various final products for consumption in Kigali, European

and now US markets.

Updates

The enterprise reached £121,000 sales in the calendar year 2015, double the sales of the previous

year. Damien has laid the foundations to keep the enterprise growing, including the formation of a

strong professional team. Recently, Oxfam and our partner GT Bank have advanced negotiations

with the enterprise to provide further working capital to support the expansion.

The enterprise supports 26 jobs in the plant (20 of them are women), as well as an estimated 50

jobs in the collections centres. These are run by local women, who have recently received support

in financial management. One of the centres has also decided to focus on creating jobs for young

unemployed women.

The enterprise is working with 1,200 women farmers, up from 1,000 last year. Farmers that sell into

Shekina are now being paid using mobile phone, which makes cash readily available. Damien is

extremely committed to making his business inclusive and empowering of women, and Shekina is

a model for others in the country.

TUZAMURANE produce: pineapple

BACKGROUND

Tuzamurane is a local co-operative that grows organic pineapple, which was set up by a local NGO and a

group of committed farmers. EDP invested in Tuzamurane in 2015. After receiving some initial support to

build a plant, Oxfam has helped the business review its operations and improve management capacity.

The enterprise upgraded its facilities to obtain a certification called HACCP, and has appointed a new

competent accountant.

Updates

In the last part of 2015 and the first few months of 2016, the enterprise continued to sell both

fresh pineapple and organic dehydrated pineapple for export (the first Rwandan company to do

so). The contracts secured will enable it to continue growing from the £22,000 total revenues in

2015.

The enterprise now employs seven people and also provides additional work in other areas of the

business. From 130 farmers involved at the start, there will be 300 by 2018. Another 16 farmers are

being helped to acquire organic certification so that they can help expand exports.

15

RWANDA

PIPELINE

Oxfam has continued to work with local partners and enterprises to develop a strong pipeline of future

investments. At present, the most advanced prospect is a local soybean processor which sources from

local farmers to produce soy-based flours and drinks.

“I used to see young ladies taking cassava leaves to the market, and since they did not have

anybody to buy their produce, they started to throw them away, and I said, ‘it is a pity!’ That is

what motivated me to make a cassava leaves drying machine. After drying it, I found out that a

dish of dried cassava leaves tastes the same as the fresh cassava leaves once they are cooked. I

therefore realised that this could be commercialised because it can be conserved for a long period

of time.

“The best business advice I have had from other people is to do something with full commitment

and with a target. This helps you achieve your goals. However, you cannot achieve unless you have

people you work together with: people who help you. That is why in my business, I want to inspire

other people to work together, so they can achieve and together we can achieve our goals. We

want this to be the leading food processing factory in Rwanda.”

Damien Mbatezimana, entrepreneur and owner of Shekina Enterprises

Photo: Eleanor Farmer

16

Oxfam GB

Oxfam House, John Smith Drive

Oxford OX4 2JY

http://edp.oxfam.org.uk

Registered charity in England and Wales (202918) and Scotland (SCO39042). Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International.

Cashew nuts from the

CREPAIMASUL co-operative,

Honduras.

Photo: Eleanor Farmer / Oxfam