At least 80 secondary school students from Rwanda and Kenya participated in the inaugural “Rwanda-Kenya Economics Olympiad 2024” competition organized by EduHubAfric in partnership with NCBA Bank Rwanda. Of the participants, 60 were from Rwanda while 20 were from Kenya. The three-day event took place from November 27 to 29, in Nyamata, Bugesera District. The competitive platform aims to identify and nurture young economic talent while promoting financial literacy and economic education across the region. The event served as a curtain raiser to the International Economics Olympiad (IEO), in which Rwanda and Kenya will participate for the first time in 2025. “NCBA Bank Rwanda is firmly committed to fostering financial literacy and economic development in the region. This is part of our sustainability agenda and commitment to education.,” said Nicholas Musyoka, Ag. CEO, NCBA Bank Rwanda. “We are thrilled to support the Rwanda-Kenya Economics Olympiad, which will provide a platform for young minds to develop their economic skills and compete on a global stage.” Participating students took part in a series of tests and challenges focused on financial literacy and economics, including: Financial literacy and economics test, Financial literacy group challenge and Financial literacy speech competition. The competition culminated in the announcement of the winners: Economic and Financial Literacy Categories: Ngoga Denny from Agahozo Shalom in Rwanda secured the top spot in both categories. Project Category: Agahozo Shalom in Rwanda emerged victorious. Financial Speech Presentation: Nkurunziza Hodali from Agahozo Shalom Rwanda received $100 prize and a certificate. Overall Economics Olympiad: Ngoga Denny from Agahozo Shalom in Rwanda was crowned the overall winner, he received a gold medal. Dr. Herine Otieno, Regional Lead for Education-Sub Saharan Africa at Education Development Trust and founder of EduHubAfric Rwanda Kenya Economics Olympiad noted that this year, Rwanda and Kenya had the privilege to participate in the competition for the first time joining approximately over 40 other countries in the continent. She noted: “We're excited to have our inaugural Rwanda- Kenya, economics Olympiad. We have interacted with a number of students from whom we shall select five students from each country to represent at the IEO 2025, which will be held in Azerbaijan, in August.” Otieno also acknowledged the support from NCBA that have come on board at this very early stage because they identify mutual interest in furthering financial and economic education amongst young people and looking forward to working with them in the long term and other institutions. During the closing ceremony, H.E. Amb. Janet Mwawasi Oben, Ambassador of Kenya in Rwanda said, “I am proud of the young boys and girls who are already excelling and demonstrating a strong understanding of financial literacy through the Rwanda-Kenya Economics Olympiad. “A heartfelt thank you to NCBA Bank for going above and beyond in banking by empowering our future leaders with essential financial and economic knowledge, she added. Our plan is to ensure that by the end of the year, we'll have engaged with about 100 000 students from both countries and out of that select the national team of five students that will go to Azerbaijan in 2025,” Dr. Otieno explained. The event provided a platform for students to hone their skills, engage with peers from different countries, and cultivate essential qualities like critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. About NCBA Bank Rwanda NCBA Bank Rwanda is a subsidiary of NCBA Group with a full-service banking group providing a broad range of financial products and services to cooperate, institutional, SME, and consumer banking customers. NCBA Group operates a network of 115 branches in five countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ivory Coast. Serving over 60 million customers and is the largest banking group in Africa by customer numbers. NCBA Bank Rwanda is currently present in Kigali, Musanze, Nyagatare and Kayonza and will be expanding to Rubavu and Rusizi.
