For many people in rural Rwanda, accessing essential health products can mean travelling long distances, waiting for market day or searching for a nearby supplier.
KoraLink is working to change that by bringing these products directly into communities while creating income opportunities for young people.
The initiative brings together the Mastercard Foundation, The Commons Project Foundation Africa (TCP Africa), Society for Family Health Rwanda (SFH Rwanda) and ICT Chamber.
It supports financially disadvantaged youth aged 18 to 35, particularly women and those living in rural areas, to earn livelihoods by selling essential health products.
These include malaria prevention items, HIV and STI prevention products, sanitary pads, condoms and water-treatment products.
Turning youth into community entrepreneurs
KoraLink agents receive training in product knowledge, basic business management and the use of the KoraLink Marketplace app.
They receive an interest-free investment of Rwf360,000 in instalments, which they gradually repay into a sustainability fund supporting future agents.
For 27-year-old Bamurere Sylvie of Ngarama Sector in Gatsibo District, the programme has provided a pathway into business.
After joining KoraLink, she says she earned Rwf58,000 in profit during her first three months.
“I have a goal of becoming a livestock farmer. I love keeping livestock, and I want to be a businesswoman, farmer and livestock farmer,” Bamurere said.
In Rugarama Sector, 26-year-old Niyokwizera Isaac began with Rwf50,000.
By reinvesting his earnings, he has grown his capital enough to order stock worth up to Rwf200,000.
He has also invested in nearly a hectare of farmland and purchased fertiliser for the maize season.
Taking products to the last mile
Agents do more than sell products.
They actively reach communities where access to markets is limited, visiting homes, markets and other gathering points to explain products and make them available locally.
In Rwimiyaga Sector, 25-year-old Shakira Mwiza used profits from selling KoraLink products to buy a computer for Rwf180,000 and start offering digital services. The sector administration provided her with working space at its offices.
Sam Gatunge, Executive Secretary of Rwimiyaga Sector, said the agents are making a difference in their communities.
“You are helping people access clean water, contributing to the fight against teenage pregnancies and preventing sexually transmitted diseases,” he said.
However, agents also face stigma, particularly when selling condoms. Jeannine Uwiringiyimana, a KoraLink agent in Nyagatare District, said some rural communities have limited access to major markets.
“In some rural areas, major markets where you can find everything may only open once or twice a week. Think of a girl in Nyagatare who needs services like these; how will she access them?” she said.
A programme expanding nationwide
KoraLink began recruitment in Musanze and Nyagatare in August 2025 with about 79 agents.
It has since expanded to 11 districts, with 2,278 agents currently involved and plans to reach all 30 districts.
By 2028, the programme expects to contribute to 41,122 direct and indirect jobs, including 11,762 agents.
Dr Richard Gakuba, Executive Secretary of TCP Africa, said the programme was designed to tackle both unemployment and limited access to essential health products.
“When we started designing this programme together with our partners, we wanted to address the issue of unemployment for youth but also find a solution to the challenge of getting essential health products to hard to reach communities,” Gakuba said.
With plans for wider last-mile delivery, savings groups and sector-level hubs, KoraLink is positioning youth entrepreneurship as a practical way to bring essential health products closer to communities that need them most.
