New Addition to the Team

We welcomed Ms. Zarreen Kamalie to the Startup Program team in February.  Zarreen Kamalie is a PhD student in SocialAnthropology from Stockholm University. She is also aPhD affiliate on the research platform SustainableBusiness Development through Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Mistra Centerfor Sustainable Markets.  

Here is a short interview with Zarreen to get to know her:

     CLI: What brought you to Rwanda?

I came to Kigali to conduct research for my PhD in Social Anthropology at Stockholm University, Sweden. I will be here for 9 months in total, during which I will be conducting interviews, meetings and observations to study how the startup ecosystem works towards Rwanda’s goals for Vision 2050 and how this influences its relevant international partnerships for development.

The Kigali startup ecosystem is very inspiring to me as both an African citizen, from South Africa, and someone who lives in Sweden. I was curious to explore the place of innovation and knowledge production in sustaining and even transforming South-North relations. With that in mind, with the Center for Law and Innovation, I’m keen to see the place of policy as a means of articulating and following the ambitions of entrepreneurs, development partners and other relevant actors.‍

     CLI: How did you connect with the Center for Law and Innovation?

I was very lucky! I came into contact with the Center for Law and Innovation last November at Norrsken House Kigali’s Africa Week by chance when I met Certa Foundation’s Head of Communications and Partnerships – Benita Uruhisho.

     CLI: What’s your final output?

In addition to the final dissertation and journal articles that I will write, I also aim to produce resources for entrepreneurs and policymakers wanting to make the most of the startup ecosystem but might otherwise not have the time to do the kind of longitudinal and sometime tedious work of speaking to all the relevant actors.

     CLI: What do you love most about Rwanda?

I’d say the openness of the people. A lot of people told me that Rwandans are quite reserved and while that is true to an extent, I do find that there is an openness in response to all the changes that’s happening and as much as that surprises me it also makes me happy.

To that point, the people and of course the level of safety and the greenery!