26 February 2008
| Kigali , Rwanda
One of TBIF’s incubated companies, S.T.O.P. is about to graduate! S.T.O.P. was started in November 2006 with two employees, and now employs more then eight permanent staff. Operating in electrical / mechanical consulting and contracting, the company specializes in the design, implementation and maintenance of high/medium voltage electrical power distribution system and security.
The Technology and Business Incubation Facility (TBIF) is situated in Kigali, Rwanda and was established by the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) to support graduates to start and grow business enterprises. It has received both infoDev funding and technical assistance from infoDev.
S.T.O.P. was started in November 2006 with two employees, and now employs more then eight permanent staff. Operating in electrical / mechanical consulting and contracting, the company specializes in design, implementation and maintenance of high/medium voltage electrical power distribution system and security. In doing so, it aims to provide clients with the most recent technology in power system construction, control and distribution as well as cooling systems. Its director, Mr. Balthazar Manirakiza notes that the company operates under the slogan “An informed work force for satisfying results”.
The company has been part of the post 1994 reconstruction of Rwanda which has seen a need for electro-technical material and equipment. In addition, specific technical competence is required to safely perform infrastructure installation and maintenance and as there is no institution that verifies electrical installation conformity in Rwanda, S.T.O.P. has contributed to the training of technicians and the improvement of standards for electro-technical equipment.
The company has partnered with a French company, Legrand, and has contributed to projects that include the design and installation of electrical equipment for a new brewery; the rehabilitation of electrical installations at Kigali International Airport; the design and construction of a low voltage line and solar energy installations.
S.T.O.P. aims to be the leading service provider in all electrical services within the East Africa region and with the foundation created while being incubated at TBIF, it is set to graduate and meet its goals.
Congratulations and best of luck to S.T.O.P.!