Over 270 Youth to Benefit from YouthConnekt, ArtsConnekt Prizes

Organized by the Ministry of Youth and Arts Development in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU), the competitions cover a wide range of sectors.

YouthConnekt 2025 will reward projects in ICT, agriculture (AgriConnekt), manufacturing, and other services, with special categories for women and persons with disabilities. ArtsConnekt 2025 focuses on music and dance, visual arts, and literature.

Registration is open through September 30 for youth aged 18 to 30 with viable projects via the ministry’s social media platforms.

Prizes are set at 15 million francs for first place, 12 million for second, and 8 million for third. All participants will receive a 1 million franc consolation prize, while first-place winners among women and persons with disabilities will receive 5 million francs. District-level finalists will also receive training and mentorship to help refine and scale their projects.

The competitions aim to create opportunities for entrepreneurship, encourage innovation, and strengthen a youth-driven economy rooted in creativity and skills development.

In 2024, more than 500 million francs ($400,000) was awarded to participants across the country, from local to national levels.

Youth and Arts Development Minister Dr. Utumatwishima Jean Nepo Abdallah urged participants to use the prizes wisely and focus on developing sustainable projects. “Whether you are winners, students, or exploring opportunities, avoid alcohol,” he said. “You may be on a strong investment path and risk destroying it because of drunkenness.”

The ministry said the 2025 competitions will provide a platform for young Rwandans to showcase talent, develop viable projects, and inspire peers to pursue innovation in arts, technology, and business.