The Health Entrepreneurship (HENT) Challenge’s first cohort is visiting Toronto this summer, where they are continuing their implementation phase through activities targeting business development, expanding entrepreneurial networks and facilitating exposure to potential investors. 

The HENT Communications team caught up with the ventures to learn more about the origins of their companies, what they’ve learned to date, and what is coming up next... 

ATradezone - RWANDA

Prior to starting ATradezone, founder Depute Alphonse Ndayizeye, observed the fragmentation between Africa’s many manufacturing companies. He noted that existing, traditional platforms caused business owners frustration and did little to solve the problem at hand. Alphonse knew that it takes a lot of effort to piece together multiple services to effectively run businesses. 

Furthermore, he observed that the issue had resulted in a complicated supply chain and sourcing, which led to slower and more expensive processes. Alphonse set out on a mission to solve these supply chain and market penetration challenges by leveraging blockchain and Artificial Intelligence-powered technology in their platform solution. The solution allows manufacturers to optimise internal process from production to supply chain and sales management operations. It also provides product performance traceability and product monetisation in supply chain process.  

While in Canada with the 2022 HENT Challenge Delegation, Alphonse has been actively pursuing a co-founder to join forces with him. Through this collaboration, he aims to establish the incorporation of his business and drive its expansion within the Canadian healthcare industry, with a specific focus on those entering the African market.   

What is the accomplishment to date that your team is most proud of?   

Since ATradezone’s launch in 2021, the venture has on-boarded 554 registered manufacturers as customers, generated upwards of 60,000 transactions, and earned a revenue of $55,000 from an initial $19,000 investment. 

If you could give advice to another founder getting started, what would that be?   

“Doing entrepreneurship is not an easy thing! It requires a strong team with hard work and persistence after defining a clear vision and mission for your company.” 

With the potential to capture at least 40% of global trade by 2030,  ATradezone is planning to expand their services to the East African Community within the next 12 months, before rolling out their product to the remainder of Africa. Through their expanding work, they hope to increase intra-African trade from 19% to 50% by 2030.  

You can learn more about ATradezone by visiting their website.