Young entrepreneurs who advance the country’s development agenda through job-creation and innovation stand a chance to win $20,000 (about Rwf14.1 million) at this year’s Outstanding Rwandan Entrepreneur Award slated for November. This is a noble initiative, which should be picked up by other stakeholders to drive the spirit of entrepreneurship among the youth, especially the fresh graduates. 

To some people, Rwf 14.1 million might seem like a drop in the ocean, but it’s the motivation that it will create both for the winners and those who plan to aspire for such recognition that makes it outstanding.

This is the way to go especially for development stakeholders in the private sector. The youth are naturally inspired by recognition for excellence.

Recognising them will encourage others to come up with ideas and solutions to make them the successful entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

To fight vices such as drug abuse among the youth, we need such awards and competitions to keep the youth engaged productively. The award targets mainly the youth below 35 years, whose businesses have contributed significantly to job-creation and provide an innovative solution to one of Rwanda’s development challenges among others.

Highlighting the achievements and contribution of talented entrepreneurs to the country’s development will motivate other youths to come up with unique innovations.  We have had other initiatives aimed at recognising enterprising youth, but a lot needs to be done especially by the big private players in the economy, through coming up with more programmes to award and fund the youth making a difference in society.

As the government intensifies the youth empowerment programmes, especially through vocational training, the private sector should come on board and fund as many initiatives as possible aimed at arousing the entrepreneurship spirit among the youth.