The Ministry of Youth has announced YouthConnekt Awards 2023, with 200 Rwandan impactful entrepreneurs set to get direct financial support of up to Rwf25 million at the end of a nationwide competition.
The competition begins at the sector level and will be concluded in December at the national level with an awarding ceremony. Applications began on September 1 and the deadline is September 30.
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The YouthConnekt Awards 2023, organized in partnership with UNDP-Rwanda and the European Union, will support young Rwandan entrepreneurs with business development capabilities and funding to accelerate their business growth and job creation countrywide, the ministry said in a statement on Friday, September 22.
"It is essential that we uphold Rwandan values in everything that we do; we have an obligation to do everything that is within our power to facilitate the rapid growth of our nation. YouthConnekt has provided a platform for the youth to flourish,” Minister of Youth Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima said.
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The prizes
The grand prizes are Rwf25 million, Rwf20 million, Rwf15 million, and Rwf10 million. The lowest prize is Rwf1 million.
The first prizes will be awarded in four categories at the provincial level and in the City of Kigali, with each winner receiving Rwf1 million. The winners will also be linked to sector experts.
The awarding ceremony at the national level will take place in Kigali in December.
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Eligibility
The YouthConnekt Awards competition is open to Rwandan entrepreneurs aged 16 to 30 who are working in Rwanda in any capacity including people living with disability. There is special consideration to women.
The most innovative and impactful projects will compete in four categories: agribusiness, ICT, manufacturing and a variety of other services.
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In the agribusiness category, the projects should be involved in improving agricultural systems by developing new technologies or practices.
In the ICT category, the projects should be information technologies-related services and solutions.
The manufacturing category targets the transformative manufacturing of products.
Other services included are a variety of formal industries such as banking, fashion, arts, and tourism.
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How to compete
The competition will start at sector level, then move on to the district level, then province level and finally the national level.
All district winners will have the opportunity to attend an entrepreneurship mentorship boot camp that will enhance their respective businesses with the support of leading experts in various business development fields.
The boot camp modules will include business modeling, business management, customer-centric planning, digital marketing, intellectual property rights, law and standard compliance, and efficiency.