The awards were presented during celebrations marking Youth Development Day, held at Maison des Jeunes Kimisagara in Nyarugenge District on March 27, 2025.
The State Minister in the Ministry of Youth and Arts, Sandrine Umutoni, urged the beneficiaries not to focus only on the financial rewards but to remain committed to their journey of personal growth and national development.
“Today is not only about reflecting on what has been achieved, but also about looking ahead and reminding each one of you that you have a significant role in building the Rwanda we aspire to. […] We thank those who received support today. You have shown that you do not wait for opportunities, you seek them. Keep moving forward and make the most of these opportunities,” she said.
Assoumpta Uwase, founder of Urugero Fashion, a clothing company, is among those who received Rwf 1 million. She noted that the funds will help her expand her business by acquiring additional sewing machines.
“This will help me purchase equipment. There are tools one may not have but knows would improve production. For us, machines are the most important because they help us work faster,” she noted.
A similar event took place in the Eastern Province, where the Minister of Youth and Arts, Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima, encouraged young people to be bold and take advantage of available opportunities.
The Governor of the Eastern Province, Pudence Rubingisa, urged youth to explore opportunities in large-scale agricultural projects, particularly in irrigation and livestock, invest in them, and share knowledge with others.
Youth in Northern Province urged to make the most of opportunities
The Governor of the Northern Province, Maurice Mugabowagahunde, called on youth awarded in the Youth Connekt and Arts Connekt Awards 2025 not to waste the opportunities they have received, but to use them to advance themselves and contribute to national development.
He encouraged young people to work hard, avoid bad habits, and build on the unity of Rwandans.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, Clément Kabiligi, said the awarded youth are a strong example that self-development is possible when one takes advantage of available opportunities.
He urged them to maintain discipline and guide others who may stray from the right path.
Southern Province youth advised to act wisely
The Vice Mayor of Nyamagabe District, Thaddée Habimana, encouraged youth to remain patient and avoid making rushed decisions.
He particularly urged them to participate in government programmes such as the monthly Umuganda community service and activities marking the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The Governor of the Western Province, Jean Bosco Ntibitura, commended the country’s leadership and partners for their continued support in empowering youth to drive both personal and national development.
He noted that recognizing youth achievements is intended to inspire others to take initiative and improve their livelihoods.
The Youth Connekt competitions are organized in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU).
The awarding of top projects in Youth Connekt 2025 also coincided with the official launch of the Aguka Fund, which provides loans to youth-led projects at an interest rate of 9%, with a required collateral of 10% of the total amount needed.
The UNDP Resident Representative in Rwanda, Dr. Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, congratulated all winners for their promising projects, noting that their success marks the beginning of a greater journey, to become competitive in the job market, strengthen the private sector in Rwanda, and contribute to Africa’s economic transformation.
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