A total of 260 young entrepreneurs were recognized on Feb. 18 at the 2024 YouthConnekt Awards, an initiative aimed at empowering Rwanda’s youth through financial support, mentorship and business training.
Top prizes included Rwf25 million, Rwf20 million, Rwf15 million and Rwf10 million, with additional awards of Rwf5 million, Rwf3 million and Rwf1 million. Special recognition was given to women entrepreneurs and youth with disabilities, each receiving Rwf5 million.
Annet Muhorakeye, founder of a coffee company, emerged as the overall winner, securing Rwf25 million to grow her business at Kisimite Center. Jean Claude Dufatanye, an electrical engineer from Kirehe, claimed Rwf20 million for his work in manufacturing a locally made refrigerator. Shakira Uwineza from Kamonyi District, founder of Neza Chill, secured Rwf5 million in the women’s category. Aime Pacifique Uwimana from Rutsiro District received Rwf5 million in the category for people with disabilities. Merci Ndaruhutse, founder of the GEN-Z Comedy Show, won Rwf10 million in the performing arts category, while Ligobert Uwiduhaye, founder of Studio of African Wildlife Art (SAWA) in Musanze District, was recognized in the visual arts category.
In agribusiness, Janvier Nsazimana from Rusizi District secured Rwf25 million, with plans to tackle unemployment by investing in packaging and modern equipment.
Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire encouraged young entrepreneurs to take full advantage of available opportunities and remain committed to their innovative ventures. She emphasized the importance of vision, courage and action in transforming ideas into solutions.
“A window can be looked through, admired, or you can also choose to open the window and step into new opportunities. For the next generation of young people here today, this is the moment to seize those opportunities,” Ingabire said.
She acknowledged the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs and announced that the cost of internet—one of the major barriers for startups—will be reduced within the next two months to facilitate digital innovation and business growth.
“The journey doesn’t stop here. You must keep pushing forward. The government is listening, and we are addressing the challenges you face, starting with lowering internet costs to ensure better access for young entrepreneurs,” she said.
Minister of Youth and Arts Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima said the government is intensifying efforts to empower young people in agriculture and the arts through new initiatives to drive job creation and economic transformation.
“We have found that agriculture is a major source of jobs for young people, spanning production, food processing and trade. That is why AgriConnect has become a crucial part of our awards,” Utumatwishima said.
He called on stakeholders in the agriculture sector to continue supporting youth-led agribusiness ventures, aiming to shift from subsistence farming to business-oriented agriculture.
“For the arts, you could see the joy on young people’s faces. It is crucial to keep nurturing upcoming artists so that we build a strong creative industry,” he added.
To further support young entrepreneurs, Utumatwishima announced that the government, in collaboration with the Business Development Fund (BDF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is introducing the Aguka Fund.
“This fund will provide loans to young people without collateral, with an interest rate of less than 10%. We have already secured initial funding, and we expect it to start this year,” he said. “If we can make the Aguka Fund sustainable, innovations will increase, and the business community of young people will grow.”
The winners expressed their joy at receiving the funding for their projects.
Shakira Uwineza of Neza Chill said that she believed in hard work and determination, which led to her victory.
“My creativity won because I invested time in thinking about something different from the usual. I decided to invest in chili sauce production, and now, it speaks for itself,” she said. “This money will help me create more jobs for the youth and hire more people in the process. The production capacity was around 300 kg per week, but now, I can produce even more, buy machines and equipment, and create jobs in my hometown.”
Ndaruhutse of GEN-Z Comedy said winning the money will enable him to enhance the quality of services and create more job opportunities.
“To parents who discourage their children from pursuing their passions, let this be a sign that talent can also be a source of income. Instead of limiting them, support and nurture their skills while ensuring they receive a proper education,” Ndaruhutse said.
He added that the award will be invested in innovating the comedy scene in Rwanda.