Students urged to invest early at Rwanda capital markets forum

The forum, organized by the Capital Market Authority of Rwanda (CMA Rwanda) with various partners, aimed to equip young people with knowledge and skills to save and invest early for long-term financial independence.

A key feature of the event was the University Challenge 2026, a nationwide competition testing students’ understanding of capital markets and investment principles.

Christian Ishimwe Senga won the competition and received RWF 1.5 million. Hirwa Iza Key placed second with RWF 1.2 million, followed by Maniragaba Protegene in third place with RWF 1 million. Byiringiro Jean Baptiste and Nshimyimana Marthe placed fourth and fifth, receiving RWF 800,000 and RWF 500,000 respectively.

Hirwa Iza Key encouraged young people to adopt a stronger saving and investment culture.

“As young people, instead of keeping our money only in banks or at home, we should invest. The best time to plant a tree is today,” he said.

Masantura Ruziga Emmanuel, head of business development and marketing at RNIT Iterambere Fund, told participants that early saving and investing can significantly grow wealth over time through compound returns.

He said a person who saves RWF 100,000 monthly for 20 years would accumulate about RWF 24 million in contributions alone, but that amount could grow to about RWF 86 million through investment, assuming annual returns of more than 11%.

“Young people have a tremendous opportunity to build wealth when they begin saving and investing early,” he said. “Compound returns allow money to grow in extraordinary ways over time.”

Participants said the forum changed how they view saving and investing, adding that they now see investment as a practical path toward achieving financial goals.

Organizers said the forum is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen financial literacy among young people and encourage their participation in Rwanda’s economic transformation.