CANAL+ Rwanda awarded three Rwandan digital storytellers; Ravanelly Twahirwa, Solange Nishimwe, and Sylivie Sugira, as the first three winners of a local competition on July 18. They were selected from eight finalists for the first edition of the Creative Talents programme held in Rwanda, which aims to promote local talent, encourage creative expression, and encourage a new generation of influential content creators across Africa. The awardees walked away with Rwf1,000,000, Rwf750,000, and Rwf500,000 respectively, in addition to certificates, which were also presented to the remaining five finalists. Twahirwa, known for his influential TikTok content and Instagram skits, will also represent Rwanda at the continental level in Senegal where he’ll meet 24 Africans when due. ALSO READ: Canal+ launches initiative to promote and develop Rwandan content,slashes product prices for festive season According to the pay-TV service provider, the project is designed to empower young digital creators by equipping them with essential skills in content creation and positive storytelling. The local training was provided in partnership with Kigali Multimedia Hub (KMH), a creative powerhouse with modern studios for visuals, podcasting, recording, and live streaming. Selection process was followed by a regional final organised by PANAF. The competition aims to highlight and reward excellence in digital creativity. The competition has been held in eight countries: Rwanda, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast (for the second time), Benin, Cameroon, Niger, and Guinea. Participants were trained in brand marketing, operations and product development, creative communication, digital innovation, and more. ALSO READ: Canal+ Group unveils Zacu TV channel with 100 per cent content in Kinyarwanda Sophie Tchatchoua, CEO of CANAL+ Rwanda, noted that the ambition is to uplift Rwandan talents in the creative industry which is also part of the National Transformational Strategy (NST) to create jobs for youth in the digital spaces. “We’re happy that CANAL+ Rwanda is contributing to it. This is the first edition and it will not be the last,” she said. “We hope that the winner who will compete with other Africans candidates, is going to win and have the pleasure to meet fellow creators,” she added. The CEO believes that participants are already winners because they have dared to show what they can and they want to take opportunities. “This spirit needs to be kept among other people who had applied and mostly among the three winners. I urge them to continue to dare. That’s why they’ve reached here. On top of the training they received, they need to network not just in CANAL+ but also among others,” she said. ALSO READ: Canal+ launches app to ease content access More than a hub, KMH is a dynamic nexus where professionalism and dynamism converge, propelling Rwanda’s creative economy into the future. Within the premises, there are modern studios, space for graffiti arts, sculptures, editing labs, and many more, making it a catalyst for creative innovation. Malik Shaffy Lizinde, a creative entrepreneur and co-founder of Kigali Multimedia Hub, said that the latter was created as a social enterprise that aimed to build young creators in different domains that could deliver creatives at the international levels. “At KMH, we provided them with development skills, how to become international content creators, improve their content, and monetise it altogether. What we care about most is job creation for young people and how the two can intertwine,” he said. ALSO READ: The New TOUT CANAL+ with Netflix: A Game Changer in Entertainment Twahirwa thanked CANAL+ for the opportunity, which goes beyond just focusing on social media users and instead supports content creators, especially in the face of negative perceptions, where some people see social platforms as spaces for delinquency and unmanaged, harmful content. “People can still use these platforms positively and achieve great results,” he noted. “Yes, there is negative content out there, but these platforms have also become a source of employment for many people. This was a competition but one with prizes. If big companies like CANAL+ are backing it, it means people need to rethink their approach and come up with something productive,” he said. Twahirwa said he is ready to compete with fellow Africans and hopes to represent Rwanda well. Jonathan Niyomugaba, in charge of the Development of Performing Arts at the Ministry of Youth and Arts, commended the initiative, pointing out that anything aligned with the government’s vision is something highly valued. “They need to seize every opportunity that comes their way. It starts here and can expand worldwide. We want to work with them beyond this initiative to raise awareness among young people. We need everyone’s participation. The government’s focus is on developing talents that create jobs, not just entertainment,” he said.
