Yvette Ishimwe

Yvette Ishimwe (born 1996) is a Rwandan entrepreneur, environmental activist and founder of Iriba Water Group. She is known for transforming Rwanda's water scarcity into business opportunities, benefiting low-income communities. Quotes Water is life and life is a human right. No one should have to die or get sick for a lack of something so basic and so achievable as safe water. The transformative power of clean water Cartier Women's Initiative (2025) I grew up in Rwanda and witnessed firsthand how lack of clean water shapes the lives and dignity of families. For me, 'water is life' isn't a slogan – it's a daily reality. It means freedom for women, health for children, and opportunity for entire communities. On what inspired her to found Iriba Water Group. Interview: Rwanda's Yvette Ishimwe - Cartier Women's Initiative Impact Awardee 2025 The New African Woman (July 4, 2025) Early on, being a young African woman in a technical space meant constantly having to prove myself. Access to funding, trust, and visibility were uphill battles. But I leaned on grit, mentorship, and an unshakeable belief in our mission, and I kept showing up. On the challenges she faced building Iriba. The New African Woman (July 4, 2025), same interview as above Every situation and comment was filtered through the lens of ‘I am not enough’, ‘I am a failure’, and ‘I am a burden’, leading to a distorted self-image and a sense of being unloved unless I performed perfectly, Even when I graduated and secured a good job, it did not come with happiness as I thought. https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/13599/news/education/rwandan-author-opens-up-about-overcoming-depression-in-new-book (The new Times, January 08, 2024) Water is life and life is a human right. No one should have to die or get sick for a lack of something so basic and so achievable as safe water. https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com/blog/impact-awardee-yvette-ishimwe?utm_source It’s incredibly humbling. This recognition is not just about me; it’s about every woman, youth, and community member who believed in our mission when IRIBA was just an idea. https://nawmagazine.com/cartier-womens-initiative-impact-awardee-2025-rwandas-yvette-ishimwe-on-providing-access-to-safe-water-with-dignity-reliability-and-impact/?utm_source Being seen on a global stage reminds me that local impact can ripple far beyond borders. https://nawmagazine.com/cartier-womens-initiative-impact-awardee-2025-rwandas-yvette-ishimwe-on-providing-access-to-safe-water-with-dignity-reliability-and-impact/?utm_source Early on, being a young African woman in a technical space meant constantly having to prove myself. https://nawmagazine.com/cartier-womens-initiativeimpact-awardee-2025-rwandas-yvette-ishimwe-on-providing-access-to-safe-water-with-dignity-reliability-and-impact/?utm_source The purpose of this project is to give people access to clean water, especially those who don’t have access to it. We target basically low income people. https://www.africanews.com/2022/04/01/iriba-making-groundwater-safe-and-accessible-to-the-locals/?utm_source I want to see more of that. I want to see more people having access to clean water, more jobs created. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cartier-womens-initiative_what-drives-a-mission-thats-created-hundreds-activity-7366796532055961601-oZ_e?utm_source Our team works around the clock to provide sustainable solutions for everyone, including vulnerable communities in Rwanda and neighboring countries, to easily access affordable, clean and safe water. https://www.bayer-foundation.com/sites/g/files/vrxlpx38116/files/2023-04/Bayer_Foundation_Annual_Report_NEW.pdf?utm_source The impact of water insecurity is massive, affecting every aspect of life. What really pushed me to think about a solution was seeing children miss school because they spent entire days walking long distances to fetch water. This was something I witnessed firsthand, and it’s what inspired me to start this initiative. Technology enhances efficiency, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability—financially, technically, and environmentally. The most important strategy is ensuring that in-house revenue streams are strong enough to sustain operations. https://gca.org/world-water-day-2025-tackling-water-security-through-sustainable-business-models/?utm_source External links Category:Businesswomen from Rwanda Category:Entrepreneurs Category:Environmentalists Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:Women activists from Rwanda