Athanansie Nyiramaprayer - Kivu Tilapia as a Fish Merchant

Athanansie is a Rwandan mother who built herself up in the fish trade after years of struggling through a difficult life. She started with little skill, selling a small quantity of fish at the local market, but had the zeal and will to move forward.

Today, as a successful fish merchant, Athanansie maintains a strong business relationship with Kivu Tilapia Farm, one of the largest tilapia farming and breeding operations on Lake Kivu.

Kivu Tilapia Farm provides well-raised tilapia. As a result, Athanansie has access to quality fish, which helps her maintain a loyal customer base and a steady market. She purchases fish twice a week, which allows her to keep consistent supply and continue offering reliable service to her customers.

As a long-term partner, she receives a unique price that allows her to make a profit by selling fish in the city market or in different towns. This has helped her grow her business.

Athanansie also provides information based on her market observations, which helps Kivu Tilapia Farm understand customer needs in the domestic market.

Her partnership with Kivu Tilapia Farm has helped her secure and repay a loan, an example of how a strong business relationship can build capacity and credit. Today, her business helps her achieve goals that matter most: providing for her family, paying for health insurance, and funding her children’s education. These are the building blocks of family transformation.