As Rwanda prepares to celebrate International Youth Day on August 12 under the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” the nation continues to witness a surge in young tech entrepreneurs driving innovation and economic growth. ALSO READ: Why Rwanda’s tech startups need to embrace PR Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation, told The New Times that the government is committed to fostering a ‘smart’ economy by catalyzing and growing tech-enabled businesses. She gave an example of Rwanda Innovation Fund, explaining how the government identified a need to catalyze and grow tech-enabled businesses to foster a ‘smart’ economy. She said: “It recognized that this need could be met, in part, through a Fund of patient long-term capital that would focus on developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and professionalizing SME companies.” “We are exploring early-stage financing for startups where the Ministry of ICT and Innovation has supporting grants to companies combined with business support. Other than that, through the World Bank, $15 million has been set aside to support early-stage financing of tech startups. This is expected to catalyze the patient capital for the Rwandan market.” The tech-friendly ecosystem has created flourishing youth-led startups and positive impact on Rwandan society. The minister listed a number of youth-led startups that are making significant impact in the country. Fixa Rwanda Fixa Rwanda, a tech startup that uses technology to help businesses regain confidence in their blue-collar workforce, is at the forefront of this transformation. Founded by Jansen Durham, the company focuses on digitizing informal workers and businesses to drive financial inclusion across the country. ALSO READ: Rwandan tech startup selected for Norrsken’s international accelerator According to an Africa Business report, Fixa Rwanda has onboarded over 6,000 workers, creating digital work histories and facilitating more than 250,000 shifts. The company has disbursed over $2 million in wages, contributing significantly to economic empowerment. This initiative aligns with Rwanda's broader ambition to become a regional hub for finance and technology, fostering skilled jobs and attracting investment. Lifesten Health Lifesten Health, a Healthtech company and winner of Hanga 2022, it was founded by Peace Ndoli. This company is addressing local health challenges by leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance cardiovascular health. ALSO READ: Lifesten Health: Revolutionising NCD management through tech innovation The company offers personalized wellness plans, AI-driven diagnostics, and community support via its app. Reports from the Ministry of ICT and Innovation highlight that Lifesten Health has created 200 jobs in the tech and healthcare sectors and reached over 20,000 people, with plans for expansion into Kenya. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s innovator of the year wins $250,000 prize Afri Farmers Market Afri Farmers Market, which secured third place at Hanga 2021, was founded by Norman Mugisha. The Agritech company connects smallholder farmers with stable markets, ensuring fair prices and providing resources to improve farming practices. Since its inception in 2020, Afri Farmers Market has worked with over 5,780 farmers, facilitated the sale of over 17,000 tons of fresh produce, and benefited more than 4,000 households. This platform plays a crucial role in the economic empowerment of Rwanda's farming communities. AC Group AC Group is a technology company providing smart transport solutions in Rwanda and across Africa. It was founded by Patrick Buchana in 2015. In recent years, he steered it to become a leading provider of smart and interactive IT solutions in Rwanda and beyond. ALSO READ: Rwandan tech company, AC Group invests Rwf3b in taxi moto solutions The firm partnered with the Government and bus operators to put in place Tap&Go system in December 2015 to enhance the smart cities agenda in Rwanda and has since established a presence in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and Nairobi, Kenya. The firm facilitates smart transport by digitising public transport payments that enable passengers to board public buses using smart cards. The AC Group Rwanda annual revenue is $9.1 million in 2024. Vuba Vuba Tech Vuba Vuba Tech, co-founded by Albert Munyabugingo, is a leading e-commerce platform launched in January 2020. Filling the gap left by Jumia Food’s exit, Vuba Vuba connects local businesses with consumers through an efficient online marketplace for food and essentials. The platform has created 37 full-time jobs, about 50 casual positions, and empowers over 100 delivery riders. Vuba Vuba’s growth, averaging over 1,000 deliveries per day, demonstrates its strong revenue stream and potential for expansion into new markets by 2024. Loopa Inc Rwandan climate tech startup, Loopa, in December last year, emerged as the overall winner of Rwanda's largest startup competition, taking home a cash prize of Rwf50 million, among other prizes. Loopa Inc focuses on providing innovative tech solutions to bridge the technological gap in Rwanda. By offering digital services and tools that enhance business efficiency and information access, Loopa Inc contributes to economic growth and digital literacy. ALSO READ: How local start-up is leveraging tech to transform organic waste into fertiliser Loopa leverages Internet of Things (IoT) technology to optimize the conversion of food waste and other agricultural byproducts into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, to assist farmers in transitioning from inorganic to organic fertilizer affordably while achieving higher yields. Hence Technologies Hence Technologies, founded by Sean West, Arun Shanmuganathan, and Steve Heitkamp, is revolutionizing legal services in Rwanda through AI and data. ALSO READ: Rwandan tech startup for lawyers secures $1.8 million in funding Kigali-based Hence Technologies uses data from various sources to match the internal legal teams of its client companies with external legal service providers — which gives it the ability to recommend lawyers based on the nature of the assignment, location and cost considerations. “The company began its operations in Rwanda in early 2020. It is headquartered in UK but we are building out the technology base from here in Kigali with a team from across Africa. We want to show the world that you can solve global problems with world-class technology from here in Rwanda,” Arun Shanmuganathan, Co-Founder told The New Times in a March 2022 interview. Lately, the company has expanded its workforce to around 20 employees, with a strong emphasis on local recruitment. The $2.6 million in funding has supported the company’s growth and impact on the local economy by creating job opportunities and fostering skill development. Pesachoice Founded by Davis Nteziryayo, Pesachoice develops HR solutions for business and employee loan products. ALSO READ: Success in business is about analytics through technology, says PesaChoice boss It has a product called Huza HR, a tool designed for businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations. It gives employee self-service, streamlines employee performance management, navigates leave requests across an organization and handles timesheet and attendance tracking. Eden Care Eden Care is a digital health insurance company founded by Moses Mukundi. ALSO READ: Eden Care: Inside the first digital health insurer in Rwanda The company has created over 200 jobs and invested in health education and preventive services. Pindo Pindo, an instant communication platform for businesses optimized for developers, was founded by Remy Muhire and Eugene Rwagasore. In April, Muhire told The New Times that Pindo was scaling to Kenya and Uganda, as part of the agenda to serve the region. ALSO READ: Is Rwanda Innovation Fund relevant to local startups? Pindo is a team of 11 employees.
