The Innovate4DigiJobs 2025 challenge was officially launched, uniting key figures from government, development partners, and the private sector in a collective appeal to foster collaboration and boost inclusive digital employment opportunities for Rwanda’s youth.
Spearheaded by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the Rwanda ICT Chamber, and the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, the initiative is designed to back youth-driven innovations that promote sustainable job creation through digital solutions.
Dr. Habimana Alphonse, Managing Director of Kigali Excellent Tourism and Hospitality Academy (KETHA), says that this initiative will help strengthen the capacity of the institution he leads.
He said:
“Often, in the training programs we offer to young people to foster innovation and prepare them for the job market, we find that there is a gap in the certain tools and resources. However, this project will help us build our capacity, allowing us to support more students and expand our activities, which will, in turn, help us better connect students with the job market in a more impactful way.”
Dr. Alphonse also expressed gratitude to their partners, including hotels and tourism companies that support them. However, he noted that more effort is still needed for their initiatives to foster innovation in a sustainable manner.
Dr. Habimana Alphonse, Managing Director of Kigali Excellent Tourism and Hospitality Academy (KETHA)
Arsene Furaha, a secretary of Ecoute-moi organization, which helps talented youth to develop and benefit from their talents, said they expect this project to boost their capacity and help them reach more talented youth.
He said:
“We have supported over 500 young people across the country in places like Rubavu, Musanze, and even in the DRC. This initiative will help us reach even more because there are many talented youths out there who just need guidance on how to turn their talents into a source of income and sustainability.”
Arsene Furaha, a secretary of Ecoute-moi organization
Fatima Sirelkhatim, Project Manager at ILO, emphasized the critical role partnerships play in inclusive job creation.
“This challenge is an opportunity for partners to build together solutions that will drive more inclusive digital job creation. The success of our program lies in collaboration with youth, government, private sector, and civil society.” she said.
She added that more than 700 youth from Rusizi, Musanze, and Huye have already received digital training, and 200 more are expected to graduate this year through a new curriculum developed with partners.
Fatima Sirelkhatim, Project Manager at ILO
Bob Junker, Head of Cooperation at Embassy of Luxembourg highlighted his country’s ongoing commitment to supporting Rwanda’s digital transformation journey.
“This challenge is the result of strong partnerships, built on trust, between institutions. It’s a joint effort to provide youth with access to skills, markets, and decent employment. Luxembourg is proud to be part of a process that puts local solutions at the center.” he said.
Bob Junker, Head of Cooperation at Embassy of Luxembourg
Alex Ntare, CEO of the Rwanda ICT Chamber, explained how Innovate4DigiJobs supports the country’s broader goals.
“This challenge is aligned with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation. We are working toward the creation of 250,000 jobs per year, and innovation driven by collaboration is key to achieving this. We’re here to create real opportunities by working together across sectors.” he stated.
Alex Ntare, CEO of the Rwanda ICT Chamber
Brave Ngabo, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Arts, called on young innovators to seize the moment.
“The name Innovate4DigiJobs speaks volumes. It’s about thinking beyond limits to create jobs through digital innovation. We have invested in digital infrastructure, now we must invest in people especially youth. We need to walk together and keep encouraging collaboration among all actors in the innovation ecosystem.” he stated.
Brave Ngabo, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Arts
Innovate4DigiJobs is an innovation challenge designed to accelerate Rwanda’s digital transformation by empowering young innovators, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating decent employment. Jointly spearheaded by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the
Rwanda ICT Chamber, this initiative is critical in addressing Rwanda’s digital skills gap and boosting decent jobs for youth in the digital economy.
Rwanda’s ambitious Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) prioritize digital innovation as a key driver of economic growth and decent job creation. However, significant barriers such as limited digital literacy, restricted access to financial resources, and unequal digital infrastructure hinders many young people from fully participating in the digital economy. To tackle these challenges, Innovate4DigiJobs focuses on promoting business growth and equipping youth with the necessary skills, resources, and opportunities.
Aline Nyampinga