Young entrepreneurs across Rwanda are developing business ideas to address challenges in their communities. Turning these ideas into sustainable businesses, however, requires more than creativity. It takes practical experience, mentorship, financing, regulatory support and access to markets.

This was a central message at the 2026 Junior Achievement (JA) Rwanda Company of the Year competition, held in Kigali on October 16 alongside a stakeholder convening themed "From Training to Value Creation: Turning Rwanda’s Entrepreneurship Curriculum into Student Enterprise.” The event explored how entrepreneurship education can translate into viable businesses and economic opportunities for young people.

Five finalists, one national winner

Five student-led companies advanced through school, district and provincial competitions to reach the national finals, representing Rwanda’s four provinces and Kigali City. They were Mosqai Shield from Rwanda Coding Academy in the Western Province; Aqua-Grow Technology from Saint Laurent Gaseke TSS in the Northern Province; Unity and Innovation Group from GS Kiziguro TSS in the Eastern Province; SPKG Company from Saint Ignace TSS in the Southern Province; and Avoca Glow Rwanda from GS Gacuriro TSS in Kigali City.

Mosqai Shield won first place, receiving $500 and a trophy. The team will represent Rwanda at the JA Africa Company of the Year Competition in Cape Town, South Africa, from December 2–4, 2026.

SPKG Company placed second, receiving $300, a certificate and a trophy. It also won the Sustainable Innovations Award and Best Application for Project Management Award. Avoca Glow Rwanda finished third, receiving $200, a certificate and a trophy. Ishimwe also received the Rising Leader Award.

Beyond the awards, the competition demonstrated how entrepreneurship education can help students develop solutions to real-world challenges.

Turning classroom learning into enterprise

Safari Philippe, Program Manager at JA Rwanda, said the organisation aims to introduce entrepreneurship as a potential career path while students are still in high school, allowing them to experience it before deciding on their future. He acknowledged the support of the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) and Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) in advancing this vision.

Through its 16-week programme, JA Rwanda helps students develop business ideas, assess their feasibility and build confidence in bringing them to life. Rather than prescribing business types, the programme encourages students to identify challenges in their communities and develop solutions that address real needs.

Across its programmes, JA Rwanda has engaged 30,393 students, including 807 who graduated from high school in 2026.

For graduates pursuing entrepreneurship, JA Rwanda is introducing a six-month post-school programme to help them formalise and grow their businesses. Support will include boot camps, mentorship, business incubation, access to finance and business registration assistance. Boot camps are scheduled to begin in January 2027.

Government Support for Emerging Entrepreneurs

Diogene Kagango, Production and Incubation Centers Management Specialist at RTB, said entrepreneurship is integrated into the core curriculum across technical and vocational education and training institutions.

Through Business Incubation Centers, students receive guidance on product development, establishing businesses and navigating regulatory requirements, including Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) S-Mark certification and Rwanda FDA licences.

"Through partnerships with organizations such as JA Rwanda, RTB is strengthening mentorship, business development support, and market access for emerging entrepreneurs,” he said.

Kagango also highlighted RTB’s work with RSB and the Rwanda FDA through a Regulatory Fast-Track Pathway intended to streamline product certification and licensing, helping student-led and community-based enterprises bring compliant products to market more efficiently.

While government initiatives help young entrepreneurs develop and formalise their businesses, private-sector collaboration is also essential to expand access to expertise, financing and markets.

Bridging the Gap Between Ideas and Sustainable Businesses

Safari called on the private sector to provide mentors, facilitate workplace visits and connect young entrepreneurs with financing, incubation programmes and business-development support.

Agrohaven, winner of the 2025 national company of the year competition, illustrates both the opportunities such support creates and the challenges that remain. Kendy Gisa, the team’s co-founder and chief financial officer, said JA Rwanda helped the team refine its business idea, practise pitching and connect with potential supporters.

Agrohaven represented Rwanda at the JA Africa Company of the Year Competition 2025 in Nigeria, where the team strengthened its pitching skills, connected with young entrepreneurs across the continent and explored further support opportunities.

The team also won the Delta Air Lines Lead Camp Award, enabling its members to attend a leadership camp in Ghana in March 2026. The camp offered executive mentorship, opportunities to build confidence and professional skills, and connections to a network of young African leaders through the 10 Million African Girls (10MAG) community.

Agrohaven is developing an Internet of Things (IoT)-based aeroponic system that grows plants without soil by delivering nutrient solution directly to plant roots. The venture has yet to generate revenue, and the team continues to develop its prototype while planning to secure funding and register its business. Its experience highlights the support needed to turn an innovative concept into a functioning enterprise.

JA Rwanda works with partners, including BK Foundation, Ecobank and Equity Bank, to connect students with potential mentors from the financial sector. However, broader private-sector involvement is needed to help more young entrepreneurs transform promising ideas into viable businesses.

Reflecting on her team’s experience, Gisa emphasised the importance of meeting real needs: "To fellow young entrepreneurs, I would say this: having a good idea is only the beginning. It is equally important to learn how to turn that idea into a practical solution that meets people’s needs and creates real value.”

For Mosqai Shield and other emerging enterprises, the journey does not end here. The next step is to refine their prototypes, secure mentorship and financing, and ensure their solutions respond to genuine market needs. Sustained collaboration among schools, government institutions, businesses, financial partners and young entrepreneurs will be critical to turning promising ideas into viable, sustainable enterprises.