A total of 260 young entrepreneurs were recognized on February 18 and awarded 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, 20 million, 15 million, and 10 million, with additional awards of Rwf5 million, 3 million, and 1 million.

Special recognition was also given to women entrepreneurs and youth with disabilities, each receiving Rwf5 million.

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Annet Muhorakeye, founder of 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 refrigerator locally.

Shakira Uwineza from Kamonyi District, founder of Neza Chill, secured RWF 5 million in the Women’s Category.

Aime Pacifique Uwimana from Rutsiro District, secured RWF 5 million in the category of people with disabilities.

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While Merci Ndaruhutse, founder of GEN-Z Comedy Show secured Rwf10 million in the Performing Arts category, Ligobert Uwiduhaye, founder of Studio of African Wildlife Art (SAWA) in Musanze District, was recognized in the Vision Art category.

In agribusiness, Janvier Nsazimana from Rusizi District secured Rwf25 million, with plans to tackle unemployment by investing in packaging and modern equipment.

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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, can be 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,” the minister said.

"Each one of you here represents the possibility that when talent meets hard work, nothing is impossible. We celebrate those still developing their ideas, and as the Ministry of ICT, we pledge to continue supporting you.”

Acknowledging the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs, Ingabire 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.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth and Arts, Dr Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima, said that 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.

"Stakeholders in the agriculture sector should continue supporting youth-led agribusiness ventures, aiming to shift from subsistence farming to business-oriented agriculture,” he said.

"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.”

The Minister also said that to further support young entrepreneurs, the government, in collaboration with Business Development Fund (BDF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU), and 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,” said the minister.

"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 getting the funding for their projects.

Shakira Uwineza of Neza Chill, said that she believe in hard work and determination and that’s what 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.”

For Ndaruhutse of GEN-Z Comedy, winning the money will enable him 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.

Ndaruhutse also said that the award will be invested in innovating the comedy scene of Rwanda.