Innovative social entrepreneurs who use technology to improve children’s livelihoods stand to win Rwf28 millions in the fourth edition of Tigo Digital Change-makers competition. 

The competition is conducted by the telecom firm and Reach for Change, a non-profit organisation.

According to a statement from the firm, two entrepreneurs will bag cash prizes of Rwf14 million each, and access to Reach for Change incubation centre, as well as business training and access to global network of other social entrepreneurs. 

Speaking about the launch of the competition on Monday, Tigo general manager, Tongai Maramba, said the programme has changed the way business is done by working with Reach for Change to impact the lives of children.

"As a digital lifestyle brand, we encourage technology-driven ideas that bring sustainable change. It is, therefore, with great honour that we will once again create an opportunity for such ideas to be recognised, supported and transformed to maximise social impact,” he said. 

He said interested social entrepreneurs can check; www.tigo.co.rw/digitalchangemakers for information on how to participate. Application deadline is August 21.

Last year, over 170 Rwandans from across the country participated in the competition won by Yves Iradukunda, who runs Academic Bridge, an organisation that empowers schools to efficiently collect and manage students information, and Dominique Uwase Alonga, who owns Read-a-thon (K-Rat) Events, which rewards best children leaders. Other earlier winners are Gaspard Twagirayezu of Creation Hill, Jacques Kayisire of Dream Team Football Academy and Martine Umulisa of Kaami Arts. 

Maramba said these change-makers are creating huge impact in communities. 

"Twagirayezu, for instance, runs technology fairs in secondary schools under his organisation, Creation Hill. His fairs attracted over 2,000 students last year through Tech events throughout Rwanda.” Since 2012, these social entrepreneurs have impacted the lives of over 46,000 children in the country, according to Tigo.

Social entrepreneurship is the attempt to draw on business techniques to find solutions to social problems. This concept may be applied to a variety of organisations with different sizes, aims, and beliefs.

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