{Three young entrepreneurs countrywide were recognized for their innovations during the National YouthConnekt Convention 2013 that ended on Saturday. }
Cephas Nshimyumuremyi, a science teacher from Musanze District who founded Uburanga Products Limited, a white oil jelly producing company, was best innovator winning a cash prize of Rwf 3 million and a BlackBerry phone.
Jean-Bosco Bizimana, the founder of Paravita Company Ltd, a grain milling company, received Rwf 2 million and a phone. Thaddée Muhirwa, founder of Muvava Power Form in Ngororero District emerged third, taking home Rwf 1million and phone.
“I am really glad to be the best and this really encourages me to work even harder and the money I have received will actually help me to further invest in my business as I continue looking around for more funds,” said Nshimyumuremyi.
The best three received the above prizes in addition to the Rwf 500,000, and a certificate that was given to all the 30 youth entrepreneurs selected from the 90 contestants countrywide.
Before the award convention, the 90 youth went for a two-day boot camp at Rwanda Red Cross headquarters in Kacyiru where they underwent intensive training in business skills. The training focused on basic skills and marketing.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and ICT Rosemary Mbabazi thanked all partners of this awarding occasion including DOT Rwanda in collaboration with TechnoServe to organize the training for these young entrepreneurs.
The Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, hailed the commitment and hard work demonstrated by the winners, “For those youth particularly working hard to contribute towards the economic development of this country, I am really grateful and I appreciate that spirit; but this should involve all of you (youth),” he noted.
He challenged the youth to make good use of the available opportunities to engage in income generating activities to economically improve their welfare.
The Ministry of Youth and ICT expressed thanks to different allies in the National YouthConnekt Convention 2013 such as the Imbuto Foundation, The One UN, TechnoServe, Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Rwanda, BK, Private Sector Federation, MTN, media organizations, among many others.
The National YouthConneckt convention is an annual event that gathers the youth from all districts of Rwanda not only to discuss on their development but also to showcase their achievements in Rwandan progress.
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