Umushinge

Umushinge

روّاد الأعمال

Audrey Habonimana

Audrey Habonimana

Founder & CEO

Audrey Habonimana, born on January 25, 1995, in Bujumbura, Burundi, is a dynamic entrepreneur and committed leader. As president of UMUSHINGE, she champions ecological solutions and community action with a strategic approach to sustainable development. With a background in communication sciences, she has extensive experience in program management, having held key positions at Jimbere Magazine and the Rutare Initiative. Audrey represented Burundi at COP29, moderating a panel on climate change dialogue. A participant in the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), she is proficient in English, French, and Kirundi, and actively seeks partnerships to further UMUSHINGE's mission.
Jean de Dieu Nahabakomeye

Jean de Dieu Nahabakomeye

Vice-President and Communication Officer

Jean de Dieu Nahabakomeye has a background in media communication and community management. He has served as Community Manager at Jimbere Magazine and co-founded the "Club d'actualité Economique." Holding a bachelor's degree in economics and management, his expertise includes data harvesting, program evaluations, and the development of effective communication strategies.

Team

Ella Fidela Itangiteka

Ella Fidela Itangiteka

Accountant

Ella Fidela Itangiteka is an accomplished accountant specializing in financial management and auditing. She is proficient in Sage Saari, Microsoft Office, and QuickBooks, demonstrating her ability to manage accounting processes, prepare financial statements, and optimize financial reporting. Her advanced training in accounting software enhances her efficiency in handling complex financial tasks.
Kevin Rukundo

Kevin Rukundo

Technical Manager

Kevin Rukundo is the dedicated manager of the technical team for the Nettle Farming initiative in Bujumbura, Burundi. A recent graduate in Computer Network Engineering from Université du Lac Tanganyika, he possesses critical skills in network systems, e-commerce, and digital communication. As a co-founder of RADEK GROUP, he merges technical expertise with entrepreneurship, and in 2024, he founded BUJA-Game, managing equipment installation and gaming events. His commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable agriculture is vital to advancing the goals of the initiative.
Guy Axel Mugisha

Guy Axel Mugisha

Business Leader

Guy Axel Mugisha holds a strong foundation in mechanical systems design, thermodynamics, materials science, and applied mathematics. His hands-on experience in CAD, FEA, and manufacturing processes equips him to solve complex problems across various sectors, including automotive and energy. Committed to sustainable agriculture, he drives the success of the Nettle Farming initiative while promoting innovative farming practices.
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  • Umushinge has joined FasterCapital's portfolio.
  • We help startups in building their product, increasing sales, entering new markets, finding investors, and writing and preparing their documents.
  • Entrepreneurs can join our main programs; Tech Cofounder, Grow your Startup, Idea to Product, or Raise Capital.

Idea

Umushinge: Growing Sustainable Fibers for the Future of Fashion is built on the idea of replacing water-intensive cotton with drought-resistant nettle, supplying eco-friendly fibers for jeans and other garments. The project’s mission is to cultivate high-quality nettle fibers in Muyinga, Burundi, and supply them to AfriTextile, meeting the growing global demand for sustainable textiles. With 30 acres of fertile land and solar-powered irrigation, Umushinge positions itself as the first nettle-to-jeans producer in Burundi, offering an innovative agricultural model that blends environmental stewardship with economic opportunity.

Challenge

Umushinge: Growing Sustainable Fibers for the Future of Fashion addresses critical challenges in both the fashion and agricultural sectors. It tackles the environmental cost of cotton cultivation, the reliance on imported textiles, and the lack of profitable, climate-resilient crops for Burundian farmers. By introducing nettle as a high-value alternative, the company mitigates water scarcity risks, ensures income stability through guaranteed purchase agreements, and strengthens local capacity with training and modern agri-machinery. This approach positions Umushinge to contribute directly to sustainable development, rural economic growth, and the global shift toward eco-conscious fashion.

Solution

Umushinge: Growing Sustainable Fibers for the Future of Fashion delivers its solution through a fully integrated farm-to-fiber model. Nettle crops will be cultivated, harvested, and processed on-site using specialized agricultural machinery and solar-powered irrigation to ensure year-round production. The fibers are then prepared for direct sale to AfriTextile under a guaranteed purchase contract at \$2.25/kg. This model ensures a consistent market, minimizes water usage by 90% compared to cotton, reduces textile imports, and creates skilled agricultural and technical jobs in the local community—establishing a scalable blueprint for sustainable fiber production in Burundi.


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برامجنا

تأمين رأس المال

نساعد الشركات الناشئة على جمع التمويل من خلال التواصل مع المصتثمرين المناسبين وتقديم دعم وخدمات متكاملة

تمويل مشاريع ضخمة

حلول تمويل واسعة النطاق للشركات الناشئة والشركات ذات إمكانيات النمو الكبيرة.

الشريك التقني

نصبح الشريك المؤسس التقني لشركتك، ونتولى تطوير المنتج ونقدم خبرات تقنية استراتيجية.

حسّن مبيعاتك

قم بتوسيع أعمالك من خلال استراتيجيات وموارد وشراكات تركز على النمو.

من فكرة إلى منتج

حوّل أفكارك المبتكرة إلى منتجات مكتملة وجاهزة للسوق بمساعدتنا المتخصصة.

تمويل مشاريع الإعمار

حلول تمويل شاملة مصممة خصيصًا للشركات الناشئة والشركات العاملة في قطاع العقارات.

فرانتشايز للشركات

استكشف فرص الامتياز التجاري وقم بتطوير أعمالك ضمن نموذج عمل مُثبت.

حقوق الملكية الفكرية

احمِ حقوق الملكية الفكرية الخاصة بك مع توجيه خبراء في براءات الاختراع والعلامات التجارية وحقوق النشر والمزيد.

بدء شركة في الإمارات

نحن نساعدك في تأسيس عملك في الإمارات من خلال حلول مخصصة، دعم قانوني، واستراتيجيات دخول إلى السوق.

أخبار Umushinge (1)

Burundi’s Nettle Farming Partners with FasterCapital to Scale Eco-Friendly Fiber Production
10 Aug 2025

Burundi’s Nettle Farming Partners with FasterCapital to Scale Eco-Friendly Fiber Production

Muyinga, Burundi & Dubai, UAE – Aug 10, 2025

Umushinge, an innovative agribusiness cultivating drought-resistant nettle fibers for eco-friendly jeans, today announced a strategic partnership with FasterCapital through its EquityPilot program. This collaboration aims to accelerate Nettle Farming’s growth in Burundi’s emerging sustainable textile market by leveraging FasterCapital’s global expertise and capital-raising support. The partnership will enable Nettle Farming to expand its operations and meet growing demand for sustainable fibers in Africa and beyond.

Market Opportunity & Problem Statement
The global sustainable textiles market is projected to reach $150 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. Despite this growth, many African countries, including Burundi, rely heavily on imported cotton and textiles, which are water-intensive and vulnerable to climate change. Nettle Farming addresses these inefficiencies by producing high-quality nettle fiber—a drought-resistant, eco-friendly alternative requiring 90% less water than cotton. As the first and only nettle-to-jeans producer in Burundi, Nettle Farming is uniquely positioned to fill a significant market gap and reduce textile import dependency.

Startup Solution & Differentiation
Nettle Farming’s vertically integrated model—from cultivation on 30 acres of fertile land with solar-powered irrigation to fiber processing—supplies AfriTextile with sustainable nettle fibers priced at $2.25/kg under a guaranteed contract. The startup’s approach combines innovative agri-machinery expertise led by Project Chief Guy-Axel Mugisha with a focus on environmental sustainability and local economic development. Early financial projections indicate a 21% post-tax profit in the first year, scaling to 30% annually thereafter. This blend of technology, sustainability, and market-first positioning creates a defensible competitive advantage in the fast-growing eco-fashion sector.

FasterCapital Partnership Value
Through the EquityPilot program, FasterCapital provides Nettle Farming with critical resources including strategic mentorship, access to a global investor network, and capital-raising expertise tailored to agritech startups. FasterCapital’s rigorous selection process ensures partnership with high-potential ventures, and Nettle Farming’s inclusion underscores its innovative business model and growth potential. The collaboration is designed to fast-track product-market fit, operational scaling, and investor readiness within 12 months, positioning Nettle Farming as a regional leader in sustainable textile supply.

Executive Quotes
Hesham Zreik, Founder and CEO of FasterCapital, stated, “Nettle Farming exemplifies the kind of innovative agritech startup that can transform traditional industries while addressing critical environmental challenges. Their unique approach to sustainable fiber production aligns perfectly with global market trends, and we are excited to support their journey through our EquityPilot program.”

Audrey Habonimana, Leader of UMUSHINGE and Nettle Farming, said, “Partnering with FasterCapital validates our mission to grow sustainable fibers that empower local communities and reduce environmental impact. With their support, we will accelerate our production capabilities and expand our market reach, bringing Burundi to the forefront of eco-friendly fashion supply chains.”

Growth Trajectory & Future Plans
In the coming months, Nettle Farming plans to finalize equipment procurement, enhance solar irrigation efficiency, and increase monthly fiber output beyond 2,500 kg. The startup aims to broaden its buyer base beyond AfriTextile and explore regional export opportunities. With a $150,000 funding target, the company will invest in scaling operations, workforce development, and marketing initiatives to solidify its market leadership and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Burundi.

About Nettle Farming
Founded under the UMUSHINGE organization, Nettle Farming is Burundi’s pioneering producer of nettle fibers for sustainable jeans. Led by mechanical engineer and agri-machinery specialist Guy-Axel Mugisha, the company leverages innovative farming techniques and solar-powered irrigation to supply eco-friendly textiles that reduce water usage and import reliance. Its mission is to grow sustainable fibers for the future of fashion while supporting local industries.

About FasterCapital
FasterCapital is a global technology incubator and venture capital firm dedicated to accelerating startups through its EquityPilot program. With a proven track record of selecting and scaling high-potential ventures across sectors, FasterCapital offers strategic mentorship, capital-raising support, and access to an extensive investor network. The EquityPilot program focuses on transforming innovative ideas into market-ready businesses with sustainable growth trajectories. 

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