These projects were selected from 90 youth and women who had been trained in various vocational skills by BPR Foundation under the ‘IGIRE & Women Economic Empowerment (WEE-IKAMBA)’ program.
The participants had undergone six months of training in fields such as construction, carpentry, electrical work, catering, mechanics, ICT, and other trades, aimed at addressing unemployment and creating new job opportunities in Rwanda.
The award ceremony took place on March 26, 2026, in Kigali, where five standout projects were recognized. Each of the winning projects received 3 million Rwandan Francs to support their expansion efforts.
Gireh Maurice, CEO of Jamup Electronica Hub Ltd, a company that specializes in welding and maintaining electronic equipment, was one of the recipients.
His company was founded by five young entrepreneurs who recently completed their training through the BPR Foundation program.
Gireh expressed gratitude for both the knowledge gained and the 3 million Rwandan Francs (Rwf), noting that the financial support would enable them to secure a permanent base for their operations, as they previously lacked the resources to do so.
“We are grateful to BPR and the ‘IGIRE’ program for the award. The Rwf3 million will allow us to expand our business. When we started, we had little capital and limited resources. Now, we can have a permanent address and grow our business.”
Dr. Jean Claude Habumugisha, Deputy Principal in charge of Academics and Training at Rwanda Polytechnic-Ngoma College urged the graduates to go beyond acquiring knowledge, stressing the importance of applying it in a professional manner.
“Let the knowledge you have gained help you grow personally and contribute to the country’s development. Wherever you work, your professionalism and integrity should define your approach. Our country needs your contribution, and we are here to support you,” he remarked.
Ngabo Brave Olivier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Arts, reminded the graduates to uphold strong moral values, explaining that development cannot be achieved by individuals who, despite having skills, engage in harmful behaviors like drug abuse.
Patience Mutesi, Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, emphasized that initiatives like vocational training cannot succeed without the collaboration of various institutions and sectors. She reaffirmed that the BPR Foundation is committed to these programs because they believe investing in individuals is a critical way to support sustainable development.
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