Heifer International Rwanda awards Rwf50m to youth-led agritech startups in push for smart farming

The highly anticipated grand finale of the AYuTE Africa Challenge Rwanda took place on Wednesday, April 30, in Kigali, celebrating youth-led innovations poised to transform Rwanda’s agricultural sector. The initiative, short for Agriculture, Youth, and Technology, is spearheaded by Heifer International Rwanda to empower young agritech entrepreneurs with scalable, smart farming solutions that support smallholder farmers. This year’s challenge drew more than 500 applications from across the country, highlighting the growing interest of youth in agricultural innovation. ALSO READ: Heifer International expands ‘Mechanisation for Africa’ to Rwanda Five finalists pitched their ventures before a live audience that included the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, and a panel of expert judges. Incuti Foods, a chili processing company, claimed the top prize. AvoCare, which manufactures avocado-based cosmetics and cooking oils, was awarded first runner-up. Green Energy Tech, offering eco-friendly storage and transportation solutions, secured the second runner-up position. The top three winners received Rwf25 million, Rwf15 million, and Rwf10 million respectively to accelerate the growth of their ventures. Speaking at the event, Minister Bagabe praised Heifer International Rwanda for organising a platform that showcased the creativity and ambition of young innovators. “There were many impressive ideas—from AI drones combating crop pests to smart storage systems reducing post-harvest losses,” said Bagabe. “It’s evident that Rwanda’s youth are recognising the vast opportunities in agriculture. They’re no longer just growing crops, they’re building value-added businesses, many now proudly bearing the ‘Made in Rwanda’ label.” The minister affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting these youth-led innovations, citing examples like digital platforms for cooperatives made possible through enabling policies such as land consolidation. “All of this contributes to national food security,” he said. “Our message to youth is simple: keep bringing your ideas forward. We are ready to test and support them.” “We believe that agriculture and technology are not separate paths,” he said. “They are twin engines that will drive our socio-economic transformation.” Bagabe also lauded the long-standing partnership with Heifer International: “For over two decades, we’ve worked together to improve livelihoods for smallholder farmers, accelerate agritech adoption, and build rural resilience. Today, we celebrate not just Heifer’s legacy but its living impact.” Verena Ruzibuka, Country Director for Heifer International Rwanda, emphasised that involving youth in agriculture is essential for the sector’s growth. “Youth make up over 70 per cent of our population, and agriculture remains the backbone of our economy,” she said. “If we want to transform agriculture, youth must be at the centre. They are innovative, tech-savvy, and full of ideas.” However, she noted that limited access to finance remains a major barrier. “The biggest challenge is funding—especially the collateral required for bank loans,” she said. “That’s where catalytic partners like Heifer, the government, and the private sector come in. The ideas are already there, what these entrepreneurs need now is support to scale.” Ruzibuka added that many of the showcased innovations began as university thesis projects. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see how far these young people have come,” she said. Among the standout success stories was Tresor Gashonga, founder and CEO of Incuti Foods Ltd, whose chili-based hot sauce is gaining traction in Rwanda’s growing agribusiness market. By sourcing from more than 8,000 local farmers, Gashonga is building a robust value chain that connects rural producers to national and potentially international markets. “Winning the AYuTe Rwanda Challenge is not just a personal milestone—it’s a win for the 8,000 farmers we work with,” said Gashonga. “This support from Heifer Rwanda gives us the fuel we need to scale our operations, boost exports, and build a future where local agribusiness leads the region.”

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Heifer International Rwanda awards Rwf50m to youth-led agritech startups in push for smart farming