Rwandans have been urged to take part in innovating digital solutions to support people during the COVID-19 period and beyond.

Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce giant company has established the Alibaba Global E-commerce Talent Challenge 2020 that aims at seeking innovative digital solutions to support people, businesses and institutions during the COVID-19.

The challenge is part of Alibaba Business School Global E-commerce Talent Programme in Collaboration with The African Leadership University (ALU) which is the African Region organiser for the challenge.

The challenge is presently taking place in several other countries around the world.

ALU teaches the Global E-commerce Talent Programme in Rwanda in collaboration with Alibaba Business School. The programme was launched with the support of the Higher Education Council (HEC), the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Ministry of ICT and Youth among other supporters earlier in 2020.

Speaking to The New Times, Demilade Oluwasina the Lead of the GET Programme at ALU said, "This is a competition open to all the Rwandan and African youth. Most of them are now at home, and we want to support and encourage them to use the crises of these challenging times as an opportunity to come up with innovative digital solutions to improve the lives of people, businesses and institutions.

The challenge is themed "Digital Solutions during COVID-19 and beyond" and seeks to inspire and support young people to innovate with technology to provide solutions for all walks of life.

Applications are open and run through to 4th May 2020. It is open to young budding entrepreneurs who are from 18 to 30 years of age in a team of 3-5 members having a business idea which is new or has been operational for less than a year.

"We have divided the competition in 3 rounds of selection before the global finals. There is an initial application, coaching and execution. As participants move from one stage to another, they will receive support in developing their ideas " said Oluwasina.

 "So, the good thing in this is that we are ready to facilitate all participants who will proceed across each round, they will be provided with livestreamed training, coaching and support to develop their business ideas."

He added that the prizes will be global and regional but the global winning project shall go home with $14,000, addition to the Global Ecommerce Talent Network, access to mentors among other prizes.