Six Rwandan corporations have been chosen among the many Africa’s Enterprise Heroes (ABH) 2026 Prime 100 entrepreneurs, a contest backed by the Jack Ma Basis that celebrates Africa’s most promising enterprise leaders.
ABH is one in all a number of initiatives supporting startups, notably these led by younger individuals.
The New Occasions highlights key funding and enterprise help initiatives accessible to Rwandan startups and entrepreneurs.
1. YouthConnekt Awards
The YouthConnekt Awards are an annual competitors and empowerment programme that promotes youth entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation.
Organised by the Ministry of Youth and Arts in partnership with organisations equivalent to UNDP, the programme recognises younger innovators throughout a number of sectors, with high prizes reaching Rwf25 million.
Within the 2025/26 version, 260 younger entrepreneurs and creatives shared a mixed prize pool of Rwf41 million by means of the YouthConnekt and ArtsConnekt Awards. Over the previous decade, the initiative has supported 2,240 companies, a few of which have expanded into worldwide markets by means of exports.
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Candidates should be Rwandan residents aged between 16 and 30 with a viable, revenue-generating enterprise or an revolutionary mission that addresses group challenges and creates jobs. Ladies and younger individuals with disabilities are notably inspired to use by means of devoted classes.
2. Youth and Artists Fund (Aguka Fund)
Younger entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 will quickly be capable to entry loans by means of the newly established Aguka Fund, which provides financing at an rate of interest of 9 per cent, in accordance with the Ministry of Youth and Arts. The age requirement doesn’t apply to artists.
The fund is carried out by the ministry in partnership with the Improvement Financial institution of Rwanda (BRD). To this point, Rwf1.5 billion has been mobilised, with plans to extend the fund's dimension as extra sources are secured.
3. IGNITE Problem
The IGNITE Problem supplies funding, acceleration help, investment-readiness coaching, market linkages, and visibility for taking part ventures.
Throughout its first three editions, the programme supported 19 agrifood enterprises with US$725,000 in milestone-based funding. Beneficiaries have strengthened operations, launched new merchandise, entered new markets, and created jobs, together with in refugee and host communities.
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The fourth version, launched by the World Meals Programme (WFP) and Impression Hub Kigali in partnership with the Mastercard Basis, provides as much as US$24,000 in equity-free funding per enterprise, alongside 5 months of technical help, teaching, and masterclasses. The programme culminates in a Demo Day connecting startups with traders.
Eligible candidates will need to have a registered enterprise working in Rwanda for at the very least two years, reveal income and market traction, and preserve a workforce of at the very least three full-time staff.
4. Hanga PitchFest
Hanga PitchFest is a nationwide startup pitching competitors that types a part of Rwanda’s broader innovation ecosystem.
Co-organised by the Rwanda Improvement Board (RDB), the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, and UNDP Rwanda, the initiative showcases technology-driven and inventive options to native and international challenges whereas supporting innovators at totally different levels of growth.
5. iAccelerator Programme
The Innovation Accelerator (iAccelerator), run by the Imbuto Basis, is a mentorship-driven programme that helps younger entrepreneurs by means of seed funding, coaching, and abilities growth.
It focuses on revolutionary options in sexual and reproductive well being, psychological well being, sexuality training, household planning, maternal well being, and broader inhabitants growth points.
6. IMALI Agribusiness Problem
Carried out by the Imbuto Basis in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Assets, UNDP, FAO, and Pals of Imbuto, the IMALI Agribusiness Problem helps younger agricultural innovators.
In October 2025, underneath its second section, the programme awarded 10 entrepreneurs Rwf10 million every in seed funding for revolutionary agricultural tasks.
7. Innovate Rwanda Platform
Launched by the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Innovate Rwanda is a nationwide digital platform designed to strengthen the innovation ecosystem by connecting startups with traders.
It serves as a central hub the place entrepreneurs can entry funding alternatives, innovation programmes, and help organisations throughout the nation.
8. Rwanda SME Progress Fund
Managed by Enko Capital Rwanda, the US$50 million Rwanda SME Progress Fund supplies long-term financing, primarily by means of debt devices, to assist small and medium-sized enterprises increase, create jobs, and contribute to financial development.
The fund targets mature SMEs with at the very least three years of operations and confirmed profitability, notably in agro-processing, manufacturing, infrastructure, vitality, tourism, and healthcare. It doesn’t finance startups or early-stage companies.
Anchored by the Rwanda Social Safety Board (RSSB) and managed by Enko Capital, the fund works with establishments equivalent to BRD and industrial banks. In April, RSSB and Enko Capital launched the primary US$30 million tranche, with a goal dimension of US$100 million.
9. Africa’s Enterprise Heroes (ABH)
Launched in 2019 by the Jack Ma Basis, Africa’s Enterprise Heroes is a flagship philanthropic initiative supporting African entrepreneurs by means of grant funding, coaching, and ecosystem help.
The programme goals to recognise and empower 100 entrepreneurs over 10 years. Annual purposes have grown from about 10,000 within the early years to greater than 30,000.
The 2026 version expands recognition to a Prime 100 Finalists record, reflecting rising demand and a dedication to spotlighting extra revolutionary companies throughout the continent.
10. Kura Na AgTech Programme
The Kura Na AgTech programme helps scalable agritech startups that profit smallholder farmers, notably ladies, youth, and individuals with disabilities.
Carried out by Swisscontact in partnership with Impression Hub Kigali, the programme supplies catalytic grants, technical help, teaching, investment-readiness coaching, and market linkages.
As much as 10 startups are shortlisted for pitch interviews, with 4 advancing to a full acceleration programme operating from April to October 2026. Eligible companies should be registered in Rwanda, operational for at the very least two years, and reveal income technology and market traction.
11. Expertise Improvement Fund (SDF)
The Expertise Improvement Fund (SDF), established by means of a financing settlement between the Authorities of Rwanda and the World Financial institution, is carried out by the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB).
The fund operates as a aggressive problem facility that gives matching grants to coaching establishments and enterprises to handle labour market wants by means of demand-driven vocational coaching. Precedence sectors embrace manufacturing, development, ICT, vitality, agriculture, and hospitality.
12. WFP Rwanda BRIDGE
WFP Rwanda BRIDGE is a blended finance facility established by the World Meals Programme and the UN Capital Improvement Fund (UNCDF).
Launched in November 2023, it supplies reasonably priced financing and danger ensures to micro, small, and medium-sized agribusinesses, with a selected deal with youth- and women-led enterprises. The ability helps agricultural worth chains whereas selling job creation.
13. Urumuri Initiative
Established by Financial institution of Kigali in 2017, the Urumuri Initiative is a six-month enterprise accelerator programme that gives mentorship and zero-interest loans to chose members.
Funded by means of BK Group income, the initiative helps early-stage entrepreneurs and small companies entry finance and strengthen their enterprise capabilities.
