Kivuhub: trying to build a tech ecosystem in DR. Congo

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Back in 2016 when I finished my studies in Nairobi with other co-founders, we found a lack of IT training among our countrymen and women who are the DRC despite having finished their academic training and graduated. We had to share our experiences in entrepreneurship, innovation, technology to enhance our daily life. We decided to come up with a technology Hub so that we can actively support the development of our country and the eastern region of DR Congo which was the epicentre of conflict for decades.

So I called upon a meeting with various friends who had experiences in IT such as programming, networking, telecommunication, robotics and skills in management. Kivuhub is mainly sustained by the co-founders who are providing the necessary financial and material resources. However, as we gain traction and help launch successful businesses into the eastern DRC market and the neighbouring countries.

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Your products and services :

PRODUCT SOLUTION

After doing research on the market, we found that small business is a booming environment in Congo very faster and access to internet/ smartphone as well is a great opportunity to provide them necessary skills on digital technology.

SERVICES

Therefore, below are some of the services we intend to offer;

• Fees for mentoring and guiding clients’ businesses
• Consultancy and advisory services for already existing businesses
• Provision of technical assistance
• Cybersecurity to all level
• Digital Marketing consultancy
• Training services
• Web design, Hosting and Management.

Your success factors :

We intend to hire competent and professional employees who understand the industry thoroughly and who are also attuned to our company’s vision and are committed to ensuring that we achieve our corporate goals and also reach an intended standard for our business whilst positively projecting and promoting the business to clients – existing or potential.

Your factors differentiating and disruptive compared to the existing :

Our approach is to go to the target population and adapt our training according to the field reality. We also have a high school outreach program which will enhance and inspire more children to use digital platforms in their daily life as well as working with women who are eager to enhance their technology skills. In the region we are the only one implementing this approach, but there are other hubs who work as incubator and accelerator such Lumumba Lab, Oreol DRC and Kivu Entrepreneur both based in the DR. Congo.

Your business model :

Subscription-Based Model, we do train in universities, high school, government institution as well as a local business. We generate our revenue for subscription fees for training couple with providing certificate is required to the attendee and this is only for business and government agencies. Other activities are sponsored by our partners when it is about outreach program such the one run at university and Hight school level

A few words about your competitors:

Lumumba Lab, Oreol DRC

Your website :

kivuhub.net