A new study has revealed that in Rwanda, both young men and women aspire predominantly to establish good businesses, with the majority of respondents (71 per cent) expressing this ambition.

Titled "Young Women and Men's Insights on Youth-Hood and Aspirations for Livelihoods, Employment, and Future Fulfilling Jobs,” the research also highlights that 66 per cent of young individuals in Rwanda aspire to secure a good job, while 53 per cent aim to amass wealth and achieve financial prosperity.

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The study, which started in 2021, was conducted in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. In Rwanda, it was led by the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR) Rwanda and involved collaboration with the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR), with funding from the Mastercard Foundation.

Speaking during the dissemination and engagement workshop of the research findings on March 14, Innocent Ndikubwimana, a senior research fellow at IPAR Rwanda, said the research covered 16 districts in Rwanda, with the research team visiting two sectors in each.

"We visited both urban and rural sectors to ensure balanced findings. We surveyed 1600 youths, with 100 from each district, 50 in every sector," he stated.

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Ndikubwimana further noted that the study utilised a youth-led participatory approach (where interviewers were youth researchers), to delve into the realities of young people, focusing on their aspirations and employment paths.

The study particularly explored their views on dignified and fulfilling work, as well as their resilience and adaptability to socio-economic and environmental shocks, such as the recent Covid-19 pandemic.

The study also examined policy and programme recommendations tailored to individual country and regional contexts. In Rwanda, it revealed that age alone is insufficient to define youth-hood.

The recorded narratives from respondents depict youth as the "power of the country," associating them with hardworking capabilities and potential, while others view youth-hood as a period of singleness.

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Ndikubwimana said the research will serve as valuable insight for policymakers, asserting, "It demonstrates to the government the perspectives of youth, informing policy decisions that are more closely aligned with their needs and concerns."

According to the study, youth-hood and youth aspirations in Rwanda are influenced by an interplay of historical events, economic and social factors, education, technology, and cultural values.

While the country has made significant strides in various areas, there are still challenges to overcome in order to ensure a prosperous and fulfilling youth experience for all young Rwandans.

David Rurangirwa, the Acting Country Director for Rwanda Programs at Mastercard Foundation, highlighted the significance of the research in enhancing their understanding of youth perspectives and challenges.

"This research helps us to understand the aspirations of youth and the challenges they face,” he said. "It’s good to know that entrepreneurship is a prevailing aspiration among most youth, and this allows us to tailor our programmes effectively to their needs.”

Rurangirwa further underscored two primary challenges faced by youth who aspire to do business: limited financial resources due to their backgrounds in impoverished families and inadequate access to markets. He said there is a crucial need of capital in realising youth aspirations and identified technology access, specifically smartphone ownership, as another barrier.

Regarding their strategy, Rurangirwa outlined a goal to support over 300,000 youth by 2030, with a focus on empowering young women, adding that collaboration with financial institutions, advisory firms, and market facilitators is essential to overcome youth challenges and facilitate their access to opportunities.

The key findings of the study also highlight diverse definitions of dignified work among youth, influenced by factors such as age, gender, and location.

For instance, young women tend to have different aspirations from young boys when it comes to their future goals, as they wish to get married and have children, while their male counterparts wish to be successful business people.

Paula Gimwa, the Acting Executive Director of PASGR said the lack of uniformity underscores the need for tailored policy recommendations and programming to support youth aspirations.

The study also identified the emergence of a "culture of hustling" among youth, wherein they engage in various "informal” activities to earn a living instead of waiting for traditional employment opportunities.

"This dynamic approach to livelihoods,” said Gimwa, "requires supportive policies and systems to enable youth to thrive in their chosen endeavors.”

It was also noted that 80 per cent of African countries rely on informal work, a trend Gimwa said highlights the significance of addressing the needs of the demographic by listening to their voices and involving them in policy-making processes.

Diane Izabayo, Activity Officer at Rwanda Youth Voice for Change, was among the young participants at the workshop.

She said the importance of conducting research to address the often overlooked needs of youth, explaining that such research enables policymakers and other stakeholders to better understand and support their aspirations.

Izabayo urged parents to have faith in their children's abilities and to encourage them to pursue their passions.

She also called on the government to foster innovation among youth, thereby inspiring others, and to provide scholarships that allow students to choose their preferred fields of study at university, especially for those who lack the financial means to support themselves.