Thanks to the International Labour Organization (ILO)'s initiative “Boosting Decent Jobs and Enhancing Skills for Youth in Rwanda’s Digital Economy” these young business owners are gaining the tools and confidence to thrive. Implemented with national partners and supported by the Government of Luxembourg, the project is reshaping how youth engage with entrepreneurship in a digital world.

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Over 120 young entrepreneurs from Musanze, Muhanga, and Huye have been selected to undergo practical business development training facilitated by ILO-certified trainers. Delivered in partnership with Kina Rwanda, the training focuses on strengthening core entrepreneurial competencies such as business planning, financial management, marketing, operations, and workforce productivity all essential for building sustainable, scalable enterprises.

One such entrepreneur is Gisele, founder of Agi Iyubake Ltd, based in Gakenke with a storefront in Kusanze. Before the training, her business lacked structure, and team roles were unclear. “We didn’t have an organizational chart, and it was hard to follow up on tasks,” she shared. Through the training, Gisele learned the importance of clear role allocation and gained valuable marketing insights. She now plans to reorganize her business operations and implement new strategies to drive growth.

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Arsene Karambizi, a multimedia and digital services entrepreneur in Musanze, praised the training for its real-world application. “It wasn’t about theory it addressed the actual challenges we face,” he said. Since completing the training, Arsene has begun improving his customer outreach and refining his business strategy.

The program draws on the ILO’s globally recognized Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) and Digitalize Your Business (DYB) methodologies. These tools have been tailored to fit the specific context of Rwanda, with a focus on entrepreneurs in rural and peri-urban areas communities that have historically faced barriers to accessing quality business development services.

These personal success stories reflect the broader vision of the project: to ensure that no young entrepreneur is left behind as Rwanda advances its digital agenda. The initiative equips youth with the mindset and capabilities to build resilient businesses and tap into the growing opportunities of the digital economy.

Training activities are conducted in collaboration with national institutions such as the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda Information Society Authority, and Hanga Hubs. These efforts align with the government’s ambition to foster digital entrepreneurship and transition Rwanda into a knowledge-based economy.

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By putting young entrepreneurs at the forefront, this initiative demonstrates that digital transformation is not just about adopting new technologies. It is about creating equitable opportunities, building local capacity, and enabling the next generation to shape the future of work. Rwanda’s youth have proven that, with the right support, they are ready to lead.