A hundred young Rwandan entrepreneurs are stepping into a future filled with opportunity, thanks to the Aguka Entrepreneurship Ideation Programme. Each of them has received a non-refundable seed grant of US $3,000 to launch their business ideas, an investment not just in individuals but in Rwanda’s broader economic future. Nearly half of these recipients are women, marking a significant step toward gender inclusion in the country’s entrepreneurial space.
This milestone is the result of a strategic partnership between the Tony Elumelu Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Rwandan Ministry of Youth and Arts and the European Union. The programme is designed to equip young Rwandans aged 18 to 30 with the tools, knowledge and networks they need to build sustainable businesses that contribute to job creation and long-term economic growth.
Before receiving their funding, the selected entrepreneurs underwent comprehensive business management training and successfully pitched their ideas to a panel. This ensures that each grant is backed by a clear vision, a solid plan and the skills needed to bring it to life. For these young businesspeople, the seed capital is more than money, it’s a vote of confidence, a practical foundation for self-reliance and a signal that their dreams are valid.
The programme doesn’t stop at funding. It offers holistic support through mentorship from experienced professionals who help entrepreneurs refine their strategies, understand market dynamics and avoid common pitfalls. These one-on-one relationships are vital, especially for first-time founders navigating the early stages of business development. The goal is not just to start businesses but to grow them into enterprises that can stand the test of time.
What sets Aguka apart is its hybrid learning approach. By blending online and in-person sessions, the programme becomes accessible to young people across Rwanda, including those in rural or underserved areas, without requiring them to relocate. This inclusive model ensures that geographic barriers do not limit access to quality entrepreneurship training.
The selection of the 100 entrepreneurs coincides with a growing push across Africa to empower young people through entrepreneurship. Rwanda, like much of the continent, faces a youth unemployment challenge. Yet within this challenge lies a massive opportunity. With the right support, young people can transform from job seekers into job creators, building local economies from the ground up.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation, the lead implementing partner of Aguka, has long believed in this model. Since its flagship entrepreneurship programme began in 2015, the Foundation has trained over 2.5 million young Africans and disbursed close to US $100 million in seed capital. The results have been transformative, over 21,000 businesses funded across 54 African countries, generating more than 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs and over US $4.2 billion in revenue.
The success of the Aguka programme in Rwanda is an extension of this larger vision. It’s a practical example of how philanthropy, development agencies and governments can work together to unlock the potential of Africa’s youth. It’s also a sign of what’s possible when young people are trusted, trained and given the resources to lead.
This year’s expansion of the Aguka training programme, from 400 participants in its first year to 1,500, demonstrates the growing momentum behind youth entrepreneurship in Rwanda. It reflects a strong belief that with the right support, young Rwandans can solve real-world problems, build profitable businesses and contribute to national development in meaningful ways.
As these 100 entrepreneurs take their next steps, they carry more than just business plans. They carry hope, for their families, for their communities and for a Rwanda that grows not only through policy but through the courage and creativity of its young people. Their success stories will not only inspire others but will help shape an economy built from the ground up, one entrepreneur at a time.
