A new project aimed at enhancing youth employment by developing sustainable digital systems that align skills development with employment promotion has been launched. Valued at $6.5 million, the four-year skills development and employment promotion (SDEP) project will contribute to the implementation of the second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), particularly its goal of creating 1.25 million productive and decent jobs over five years. This will be done through developing user-friendly digital platforms, offering skills training for job seekers, and strengthening institutional capacity within public agencies to better respond to labour market needs. ALSO READ: The fight against unemployment in Africa: people come and go, but institutions remain Rwanda's second National Strategy for Transformation is a five-year plan spanning from 2024 to 2029. Building upon the success of the first five-year plan (NST1), the second plan aims to further drive the country towards a middle-income country by 2050, focusing on key priorities like job creation, export promotion, and improving public service delivery. By the end of the new project, according to officials, job seekers will have easier access to information and services, and the workforce will be better equipped to meet the demands of an evolving economy. The programme is a joint effort between the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Speaking at the launch, Christine Nkulikiyinka, the Minister of Public Service and Labour, said that the project will also gather and integrate reliable labour market data. “This will help us create decent and sustainable jobs as outlined in NST2. By understanding skill demands and tracking youth from education to employment, we can better support lifelong learning and ensure a fit-for-purpose workforce,” she said. “There’s a clear gap between the demand for skills and the supply. With this system, we’ll also be able to track and address that mismatch effectively. And it will allow us to follow young people from the time they are in school until they enter the workforce, ensuring they are not just ready for jobs, but continuously improving through lifelong learning.” The project is not just about job placement but also about shaping a culture where young people grow with the changing world and remain relevant in a dynamic job market, said Nkulikiyinka. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s plan to address unemployment, labour underutilisation The KOICA Country Director, Kim JinHwa, underscored the strategic importance of the partnership, calling the initiative a cornerstone in building an inclusive, digitally driven labour ecosystem for Rwanda’s future. “This project is not only about building systems; it’s about building people and ensuring that policy decisions are backed by evidence and aligned with real market needs. We recognise that while skills training and entrepreneurship are crucial, they’re not enough. Matching the right talent with the right opportunity remains a major challenge and that’s what we are determined to solve,” said Kim. “To meet Rwanda’s ambitious goal of 1.25 million jobs by 2028, we must integrate high-quality data from across the labour sector and foster a culture of lifelong learning. Let this project be a platform not only for innovation, but for sharing knowledge, deepening partnerships, and shaping a more resilient, youth-driven economy.” Shadia Ntwali, a UNICEF representative, also presented Ingazi platform which avails free courses that help students transition from school to work, gain job-readiness skills, and explore new opportunities. She said: “Central to this vision is the upcoming launch of Ingazi Career Hub, a dynamic, AI-powered platform set to become a one-stop shop for both job seekers and employers. “With integrated data dashboards to monitor impact, the hub will offer young people the tools to explore career pathways, build digital portfolios, and access internships, scholarships, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities all in one place.” She said the hub will empower young people to chart their professional journeys with confidence, complement and enhance existing efforts by MIFOTRA, fostering stronger coordination and greater impact across Rwanda’s employment ecosystem.
