Your twenties are like the rainy season for your finances: the perfect time to plant seeds that will grow into a harvest of financial security. Just as a farmer doesn’t wait until the dry season to prepare their fields, you shouldn’t wait until your thirties to start building wealth.

Whether you’re a recent graduate from KIST, working your first job in Kigali, or running a small business in your district, the financial decisions you make before 30 will shape the rest of your life. And here’s the good news: you have time on your side.

This advice is especially relevant in Rwanda’s context. According to Rwanda’s 2022 Population and Housing Census, the median age in the country is just 20 years, meaning half of all Rwandans are under 20, and the vast majority are under age 30. This makes Rwanda one of the youngest countries in the world, which means most people are at the perfect age to start building wealth.

Why your twenties are your financial superpower

Think of compound interest like planting a tree. A tree planted when you’re 22 has eight more years to grow than one planted at 30. In money terms, that extra time can mean hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of francs more in your pocket by retirement.

But beyond the numbers, your twenties are when you’re building habits. The money patterns you create now (whether good or bad) tend to stick. So let’s make sure they’re working for you, not against you.

The seven essential money moves before 30:

1. Open that bank account (and actually use it)

If you’re still keeping all your money in mobile wallets or under the mattress, it’s time to graduate to a proper bank account. Yes, even if the minimum balance feels steep.

Start with a basic savings account at your local bank or SACCO. Many SACCOs have lower fees and requirements than commercial banks, plus they understand the local community. Your money needs a safe, formal home where it can grow through interest.

Pro tip: If bank fees worry you, look into youth accounts or ask about fee waivers for maintaining minimum balances.

2. Build your emergency fund, even if it’s just Rwf5,000

Life happens. Motos break down. Family members get sick. Jobs change. You need an emergency fund for unexpected expenses.

Start small. Even Rwf5,000 is better than zero. Put it in a separate account from your daily spending money. Treat it like it doesn’t exist until you really need it. Your goal? Eventually save three months of living expenses. But don’t let that big number intimidate you. Start with what you can afford today.

3. Invest in your skills

The best investment you can make in your twenties isn’t stocks; it’s yourself. Whether that’s learning digital marketing, improving your English, getting certified in your field, or starting that online course you’ve been considering.

In Rwanda’s growing economy, skills pay bills. The person who can speak three languages, use Excel, and understand social media marketing will always have more opportunities than someone who can’t.

4. Start contributing to your pension, even the minimum

I know, I know. Retirement feels impossibly far away. But remember that tree analogy? Starting pension contributions in your twenties versus your thirties can literally double your retirement fund. If you’re formally employed, make sure you’re contributing to Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB). If you’re self-employed or in informal work, look into voluntary pension schemes. Even Rwf10,000 per month adds up over decades.

5. Get serious about budgeting

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. If you don’t know where your money goes each month, you’re flying blind.

Create a simple budget that tracks: