International Conference on Business Management and Innovation (ICBMI2025)

Theme: “Building Co-operatives’ Resilience: Strengthening Capacity Building, Innovation, Inclusiveness, and Sustainability”

1. Background

Co-operatives have long played a vital role in global socio-economic development, contributing to employment, poverty reduction, and community empowerment. They are recognized as key players in advancing sustainable development by fostering economic growth, reducing inequalities, and promoting social cohesion. Through their collective efforts, co-operatives create employment opportunities and enhance economic stability in various sectors. However, despite their significant contributions, many co-operatives face persistent challenges, including financial constraints, governance inefficiencies, and the need for increased innovation.

In Rwanda, the co-operative movement is well-structured and operates across multiple economic sectors such as agriculture, trading, transport, finance, and manufacturing. The government acknowledges co-operatives as essential contributors to national development and has established institutional and legal frameworks including the recant Law N° 057/2024 OF 20/06/2024 to support their growth. Institutions such as Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA), Rwanda Institute of Co-operative Entrepreneurship and Microfinance (RICEM) and the National Cooperative Confederation of Rwanda (NCCR) have been instrumental in promoting capacity building and technical support.

Despite government backing, many co-operatives in Rwanda face significant hurdles that hinder their sustainability and resilience. Challenges such as financial instability, limited capacity building, lack of technological adaptation, weak governance structures, and barriers to inclusiveness continue to affect the growth and long-term viability of co-operatives.

The key issue now is how to enhance the resilience of co-operatives by strengthening capacity building, fostering innovation, ensuring inclusiveness, and promoting sustainability. The ICBMI 2025 conference will serve as a platform for experts, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to exchange ideas and discuss strategies for overcoming these challenges while building a robust and sustainable cooperative sector.

2. Conference Objectives

The ICBMI2025 aims to provide a platform for experts, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss ways to strengthen co-operative resilience and enhance their impact on socio-economic transformation. The specific objectives of the conference include:

1. Exploring strategies for strengthening capacity building and leadership within co-operatives;
2. Examining innovative approaches that co-operatives can adopt to enhance competitiveness and sustainability;
3. Assessing financial and human resource challenges in co-operatives and proposing sustainable solutions;
4. Analyzing the role of inclusiveness in fostering co-operative growth across various sectors;
5. Promoting knowledge exchange through the sharing of experiences and success stories in cooperative development;
6. Enhancing collaboration between academia, policymakers, and co-operative stakeholders to drive impactful policy and business strategies.

3. Main Areas of Focus

The conference will focus on the following key areas:

• Capacity Building & Governance: Best practices in co-operative leadership, management, and decision-making.
• Innovation & Technology: The role of digital transformation and new business models in co-operative development.
• Financial Sustainability: Strategies for self-financing, investment, and revenue diversification in co-operatives.
• Inclusiveness & Gender Equity: Enhancing participation of youth, women, and marginalized groups in co-operative activities.
• Sustainability & Climate Resilience: Adopting sustainable business practices and addressing climate change challenges.

4. Conference Venue: UNILAK

     5. ICBMI2025 Exhibition

A dedicated exhibition will take place on the sidelines of the conference, where co-operatives will showcase their products, services, and innovations. Participants will have the opportunity to explore potential collaborations and learn from various cooperative initiatives.

6. Conference Structure

The conference will feature:

• Plenary Sessions with keynote speakers addressing major themes.
• Parallel Sessions focusing on specific aspects of co-operative resilience.
• Panel Discussions with policymakers, Cooperative leaders, and researchers.
• Networking and Collaboration Opportunities to foster partnerships and research initiatives.

7. Expected Outcomes

By the end of the conference, participants will have gained valuable insights into strategies for enhancing co-operative resilience. The discussions and presentations will contribute to policy recommendations, business strategies, and academic research aimed at promoting stronger, more innovative, and sustainable co-operatives. The ICBMI2025 will serve as a crucial platform for shaping the future of co-operatives in Rwanda and beyond, ensuring that they remain resilient in the face of evolving economic and social challenges.