During the COVID-19 pandemic, many activities stopped, people stayed at home, travel between places was blocked, and businesses struggled. But for some people, that time became a chance to think and come up with new ideas. It is in this context that ZEAN Ltd was founded in Gakenke District in 2021 by Nimukuze Angelique.
After realizing that farmers’ corn harvest was going to waste due to a lack of storage, she told the RYAF Communication team, "She saw that people had produce but could not store it." She bought a machine to grind maize and provide flour (Kawunga) that is well–preserved.
This marked a turning point what used to be losses became profits. The company processes locally grown corn and busy from cooperatives. The flour is sold in schools, markets, and across Rwanda.
ZEAN Ltd has not only focused on processing flour but has also thought about processing cassava leaves, a highly preferred food grown during the rainy season, which becomes scarce in the dry season. Therefore, they developed a method of drying the leaves to make flour available year-round. They said, 'Dried cassava leaves is an idea that came from many vegetables going to waste in the rain, but there is a scarcity during the dry season.
We wanted a way to bridge these two times to prevent the harvest from wasting.' Although ZEAN Ltd has made visible progress, challenges remain, including convincing people of the benefits of dried vegetables, obtaining necessary permits, and finding packaging materials, all of which require investment. Another ongoing challenge is obtaining quality certification. Despite these issues, ZEAN Ltd has created jobs for youth and women, making their community more accessible and prosperous.
Her goal is to reach both national and international markets. Her message to youth is clear:” Be innovative. No one else will prepare a future for us. We can change our lives and those of others “
RYAF Communication Team