University: University of Rwanda

Degree Program: Bachelor’s in Food Science and Technology

Afissa Abijuru serves as the President of the Research and Innovation Club at the University of Rwanda, where she translates her technical scientific training into tangible grassroots solutions. Her remarkable entrepreneurial spirit led her to design and build a green social venture that tackles severe post-harvest losses by upcycling agricultural banana waste into safe, eco-friendly products like liquid soap, shoe polish, and nutrient-dense biscuits. Despite operating with extremely limited resources, her successful prototypes have provided small income streams for local youth and women in her community. As a WAAW Scholar, Afissa intends to refine her business model, expand her venture into a fully sustainable social enterprise, and build a dedicated platform to mentor young girls in technical entrepreneurship so they can achieve financial independence.