Efforts aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among the youth have been boosted following the launch of a drive that is hoped to instill a business spirit among university students. The Entrepreneurship Caravan 2014 is organised by Educat, an entrepreneurship training organisation, and will kicks off on March 17 in Kigali under the theme, “Business on the Move”. The drive, supported by the Rwanda Development Board, Airtel and GT Bank, will later traverse Ngoma, Nyagatare, Musanze, Bugesera and Rubavu districts encouraging students to be creative and start businesses. Apollo Munanura, the Rwanda Development Board head human capital and institutional development, said the two-week campaign would help the youth develop entrepreneurial mindsets and become innovative. “It is important for the youth to know the existing business opportunities out there and the skills required…This is essential as it will create jobs and ensure sustainable economic growth,” Munanura said, urging the youth and other stakeholders to join the caravan. Johan Eriksson, the Educat programmes director, said the caravan will feature the Rwanda Start-up Awards competition. He said awards target students with promising business ideas, who will take part in the Rwanda Entrepreneurship Mind set training programmes conducted by Educat. The winner will be announced during the Entrepreneurship Week 2014. About 1,000 students are expected to participate in the Rwanda Start-up Awards, with the caravan projected to reach over one million people, Johanne Møller, a communication consultant at Educat, said. Last year, over 112 youth participated in the Real FinaBank (GT Bank) Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2013 also organised by Educat.
