A nationwide campaign has been launched to educate university and higher learning institution students on capital market opportunities ahead of the 2025 Capital Market Youth Forum, scheduled for Friday, June 20, at the Kigali Convention Centre. The forum is being organised by the Capital Market Authority of Rwanda (CMA), in collaboration with the Rwanda Stock Exchange and the Rwanda National Students Association. Targeting university students and young people from various backgrounds, the forum seeks to promote a culture of saving, investment, financial literacy, and economic empowerment through Rwanda’s capital market. According to Thapelo Tsheole, Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Market Authority, a series of nationwide educational campaigns are underway to raise awareness among young people about the opportunities and long-term benefits of capital market participation. “These outreach programmes are designed to enhance financial literacy and to equip the youth with the knowledge required to make informed investment decisions,” he said. The educational outreach programme, running from May 9 to 23, will take place across universities in Rwanda’s provinces, providing students with essential tools to make sound financial decisions. Participating institutions include the University of Rwanda’s Huye campus in the Southern Province, East African University Rwanda in the Eastern Province, ULK Gisenyi campus in the Western Province, and Rwanda Polytechnic-Musanze College in the Northern Province. Tsheole added that following the university campaigns, the youth forum will serve as a platform to deepen awareness, equip students and young professionals with investment knowledge, and chart a roadmap for active engagement in the capital market. “By targeting university students, secondary school learners, and young professionals, the forum aims to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding financial independence and wealth creation through strategic investment,” he explained. The forum will also foster a dynamic networking environment, enabling participants to engage with financial experts, policymakers, and experienced investors who will share practical insights and experiences. Additionally, the event will highlight entrepreneurship opportunities, illustrating how capital markets can provide financing avenues for innovative business ideas. Young entrepreneurs will gain insights into listing opportunities, venture capital, and other funding mechanisms available to support business growth and sustainability. Participants will also be introduced to digital investment tools and resources, showcasing how technology is transforming access to capital markets and making investment opportunities more accessible to the youth. To further drive engagement, a Capital Market University Challenge has been organised, featuring a digital quiz competition where students can test their investment knowledge. Top performers will be rewarded with shares and bonds listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange. Previous winners of the challenge will not be eligible to participate in this edition. Three rounds of the quiz competition are set to take place. The first round of the competition in the Quiz category is scheduled for May 9, the second round for May 13, and the third round for May 16. The top winners at the provincial level shall take part in a special round at the national level on May 20 as part of the final round of the competition. The quiz aims to build greater awareness and understanding of the capital market industry and its significance to Rwanda’s socio-economic development. Winners will be awarded securities—shares and bonds listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange—as a means of encouraging a savings and investment culture among students.
