IWACU
IWACU IN AFRICA is a Rwanda-based NGO founded in 2018 that delivers free, hands-on filmmaking and entrepreneurship training to underserved youth and young women in Kigali and Rwamagana District, primarily through the Mastercard Foundation-backed Nyiramubande (ECHO) Project and the BENIMPANO Project.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersKigali, Rwanda
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
IWACU firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IWACU
- Legal name
- IWACU IN AFRICA
- Website
- https://iwacuinafrica.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- IWACU IN AFRICA is a Rwanda-based NGO founded in 2018 that delivers free, hands-on filmmaking and entrepreneurship training to underserved youth and young women in Kigali and Rwamagana District, primarily through the Mastercard Foundation-backed Nyiramubande (ECHO) Project and the BENIMPANO Project.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IWACU industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational Training Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA)
Keywords
Where IWACU is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kigali
- HQ country
- Rwanda
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
IWACU business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: IWACU operates as a non-governmental organization funded primarily through donations and institutional grants. The organization accepts donations via Google Forms and likely receives funding from partners such as the Mastercard Foundation.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
IWACU product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IWACU IN AFRICA is a non-governmental organization that delivers free, hands-on vocational training in filmmaking and creative arts to underserved youth and young women in Rwanda. Its two main programs — the Nyiramubande (ECHO) Project (in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation) targeting marginalized young women in rural areas, and the BENIMPANO Project targeting youth of both genders — cover script writing, cinematography, directing, editing, acting, makeup, producing, and entrepreneurship to enable labor market integration. The organization is funded through donations and grants and does not charge beneficiaries for its services.
Product overview
IWACU IN AFRICA operates as a non-governmental organization offering vocational training programs focused on empowering youth and women through the creative arts and filmmaking industry. The organization provides two main training programs: the Nyiramubande (ECHO) Project, a partnership with Mastercard Foundation targeting young women in underserved and rural areas with fast-track and extensive practical filmmaking training (covering script writing, cinematography, directing, editing, acting, and entrepreneurship); and the BENIMPANO Project, which provides technical skills training to youth for labor market integration and entrepreneurship in creative industry professions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Nyiramubande (ECHO) Project A filmmaking skills training program implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, providing free hands-on technical training to young underserved women in script writing, cinematography, directing, editing, acting, and entrepreneurship to facilitate labor market integration. Targeted at marginalized young women primarily from rural areas in the City of Kigali and Rwamagana District.
- BENIMPANO Project A technical skills training project for youth (both girls and boys) aimed at labor market integration and entrepreneurship, covering practical skills in writing, photography, videography, directing, acting, editing, makeup, and producing, alongside training on SRHR, conflict resolution, gender equality, and entrepreneurship. Delivered free of charge to beneficiaries in Rwanda.
Quantifiable outcome
- 175+ youth trained (100 young women + 75 young filmmakers)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use IWACU
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
IWACU technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
IWACU partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
IWACU competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- FilmAid International: Global humanitarian nonprofit using film and media training to empower displaced and marginalized communities. Directly comparable mission and delivery model to IWACU's filmmaking training-for-marginalized-women approach.
- Docubox: East African documentary film training and fellowship program supporting emerging filmmakers. Comparable to IWACU in its mission to build filmmaking capacity among East African youth, particularly women, through hands-on workshops.
- HEVA Fund: Kenya-based fund investing in East Africa's creative economy with grants and capacity-building for creative entrepreneurs. Comparable to IWACU in its focus on creative-industry-led economic empowerment and women/youth inclusion across East Africa.
- Impact Hub Kigali: Kigali-based entrepreneurship hub supporting early-stage social ventures, many led by young women. Comparable to IWACU as a Kigali-headquartered NGO running skills and capacity-building programs for underserved youth and women.
- Kepler (Rwanda Education Program): Rwanda-based higher-education and workforce training program targeting low-income youth, particularly young women. Comparable to IWACU in its Kigali HQ, NGO model, and focus on labor-market integration for underserved Rwandans.
- Inema Arts Center: Rwanda-based creative arts organization providing training and showcasing opportunities for artists. Directly comparable as a Kigali-headquartered nonprofit combining creative skills development with community development mission.
Broad incumbents
- African Women's Development Fund (AWDF): Pan-African fund supporting women's rights organizations across Africa. Comparable to IWACU in its women-empowerment focus and grant-distribution model, though addresses advocacy rather than technical/vocational training.
- Tony Elumelu Foundation: Pan-African entrepreneurship philanthropy training and funding African SMEs across all sectors. Comparable in mission scope (youth/women empowerment via training and seed support) but operates at far larger scale and broader sector mandate.
- Sundance Institute (Film Training Programs): Global nonprofit running filmmaker labs, fellowships, and training for emerging storytellers. Comparable curriculum philosophy (hands-on creative craft development for underserved talent) but at global scope and far larger scale.
Regional players
- Rwanda Women's Network: Rwanda-based NGO promoting women's rights, gender equality, and economic empowerment. Comparable to IWACU as a Kigali-headquartered women-empowerment NGO with overlapping themes of gender equality and rural outreach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IWACU social profiles
Digital presenceIWACU financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IWACU leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
IWACU funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IWACU M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IWACU
What does IWACU do?
IWACU IN AFRICA is a non-governmental organization that delivers free, hands-on vocational training in filmmaking and creative arts to underserved youth and young women in Rwanda. Its two main programs — the Nyiramubande (ECHO) Project (in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation) targeting marginalized young women in rural areas, and the BENIMPANO Project targeting youth of both genders — cover script writing, cinematography, directing, editing, acting, makeup, producing, and entrepreneurship to enable labor market integration. The organization is funded through donations and grants and does not charge beneficiaries for its services.
Is IWACU a public or private company?
IWACU is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was IWACU founded?
IWACU was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is IWACU based?
IWACU is headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, in the Africa region.
How does IWACU make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Grants.
Who are IWACU's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are FilmAid International, Docubox, HEVA Fund, Impact Hub Kigali, Kepler (Rwanda Education Program) and Inema Arts Center. Broad incumbents are African Women's Development Fund (AWDF), Tony Elumelu Foundation and Sundance Institute (Film Training Programs). Rwanda Women's Network is listed as a regional player.
Does IWACU have an API?
No public API is recorded for IWACU.
What industry is IWACU in?
IWACU's product category is Vocational Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADALAB, International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs, with a secondary code of EDADALAC, NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.