The 2025 YouthConnekt Awards and ArtsConnekt, two flagship initiatives designed to spotlight the country’s brightest young entrepreneurs and creative industry leaders, are both underway. The initiatives are organised by the Ministry of Youth and Arts, in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the goal to strengthen Rwanda’s innovation ecosystem by empowering youth-led enterprises and nurturing creativity across the arts sector. This year’s ArtsConnekt edition celebrate innovation, creativity and impact across Rwandan creative industries. The ArtsConnekt contest, which debuted successfully in 2024, is returning for its second edition. It targets entrepreneurs with registered businesses in Rwanda’s creative industry, with no age restrictions. Eligible sectors include Visual Arts industry, Performing Arts and Literary Arts & Design industry. Speaking during the Gen Z Comedy Show on September 25, Solange Tetero, the Director General of Youth Empowerment at the Ministry of Youth, urged artists and young entrepreneurs not to make the best of the opportunities coming their way through the government’s political will to support the creative industry. “This is a unique opportunity for our talented young people and creative entrepreneurs to showcase their potential. The government is committed to supporting you through initiatives like these, to ensure your projects grow, create jobs, and transform Rwanda’s arts and entrepreneurial sectors,” Tetero emphasized. Winners of both competitions will receive prizes ranging from Rwf 1,000,000 to Rwf 15 million, along with national recognition, mentorship, and support to scale their businesses. In the inaugural edition of ArtsConnekt, the top businesses walked away with RWF 10 million, setting the stage for even greater opportunities this year. Applicants must be Rwandan citizens with a growing project that demonstrates strong potential to create jobs for artists and others, while contributing to the broader development of the country’s creative economy. By spotlighting entrepreneurship and creativity, the YouthConnekt Awards and ArtsConnekt represent more than competitions, they are platforms for empowering young Rwandans, expanding employment opportunities, and positioning the arts and innovation as central pillars of Rwanda’s sustainable development. Applications are officially open, and the Ministry is calling on all eligible youth and creative entrepreneurs to register and take advantage of this transformative initiative.
