Over 4 million Rwandan youth will participate in various outreach activities across the country, in a way of playing a part in transforming the socio-economic status of the country.

The activities will be conducted during the national YouthConnekt Month organised by the Ministry of Youth and ICT in collaboration with various stakeholders, which kicks today, May 2.

At the national level, the activities will be flagged off in Nyamasheke District.

According to officials, the month-long drive, which will be taking place for the third time, will this year be held under the theme ‘We Choose to Be the Foundation of the Country’s Development.’

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and ICT, Rosemary Mbabazi, said that the forum creates an enabling environment for Rwandan youth to contribute towards the welfare of their communities and enhance their role in national building.

"This platform also creates opportunities for youth to exchange ideas and views on the future of Rwanda and propose solutions to the identified challenges,” she said.

During the four weeks, there will be different activities including, sensitising and teaching Rwandans on ICT usage, helping the needy, among others.

The month will also see the youth sensitised on various programmes, including the culture of saving and operating in cooperatives, according to Robert Mwesigwa, the executive secretary for the National Youth Council.

Upto 150 young innovators will also be visited and awarded during the Youth-Connect Month, while hundreds of others will be trained in ICT skills in collaboration with some ICT companies.

"In order to enhance ICT skills, some of the youth will be trained through a partnership with telecommunication companies.

‘‘We want the youth to maximise the usage of broadband services in whose infrastructure the government invested heavily,” he said.

The National Youth-Connekt Month is organised in partnership with National Youth Council, Imbuto Foundation, among other partners.