Launch Of 2026 Aguka Ideation Programme. / PHOTO ; Tony Elumelu Foundation
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU), and the Rwandan Ministry of Youth and Arts (MoYA), has launched the fourth edition of the Aguka Ideation Entrepreneurship Programme, set to support 100 young Rwandan entrepreneurs.
Building on the success of previous cohorts, the programme continues to empower young innovators across Rwanda through funding, mentorship, and enterprise training.
So far, 300 entrepreneurs have benefited, receiving a total of USD $900,000 in seed capital alongside intensive business development support.
Derived from the Kinyarwanda word “Aguka,” meaning “Arise,” the initiative embodies a shared commitment to nurturing youth-driven enterprises that strengthen communities and drive inclusive economic transformation.
The 2026 Aguka Ideation Programme focuses on youth-led ventures across five key sectors: technology, agriculture, health, education, and renewable energy, all of which align with Rwanda’s sustainable development agenda.
By centering on innovation and self-reliance, the programme aims to contribute to the country’s long-term vision of building a knowledge-based economy driven by young entrepreneurs.
“At the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we remain deeply committed to empowering Africa’s next generation of changemakers,” said Somachi Chris-Asoluka, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
“Aguka demonstrates how public-private partnerships can deliver real impact. Every young Rwandan with an idea holds the power to transform their community, create jobs, and contribute to Rwanda’s economic transformation.”
Programme Benefits include:
- Entrepreneurship training on TEFConnect covering business management, financial literacy, and sustainability.
- Expert mentorship from African business leaders and professionals.
- Seed capital of USD $3,000 to launch or scale ventures.
- Networking access to TEF’s continental entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The programme’s past impact is already evident. Graduates of previous Aguka cohorts have gone on to establish transformative ventures that address pressing social and environmental challenges:
- Naomi Iradukunda, founder of Ira EcoSolutions, developed affordable biodegradable packaging made from banana fibres, reducing plastic waste and creating jobs for women in Musanze District.
- Jean Bosco Hirwa, through AgriSmart Rwanda, introduced solar-powered irrigation systems to smallholder farmers, improving yields and enhancing food security.
- Keza Umutoni, a Kigali-based entrepreneur, expanded her youth-led digital literacy start-up Tech4Teens, training more than 500 secondary school students in coding and digital skills.
Applications for the 2026 Aguka Cohort open November 1, 2025, and close January 11, 2026, via www.TEFConnect.com.
Selected entrepreneurs will undergo six weeks of intensive business training, followed by mentorship, business development support, and a national pitching competition.
Each participant will receive USD $3,000 in non-refundable seed funding and lifetime access to TEF’s pan-African entrepreneurship network.
About the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF)
The Tony Elumelu Foundation is the leading philanthropy empowering African entrepreneurs.
Through its flagship TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, the Foundation has disbursed over USD $100 million in seed capital to 24,000 entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries.
Collectively, these entrepreneurs have generated over USD $4.2 billion in revenue and created more than 1.5 million jobs.
TEF’s mission is rooted in Africapitalism—the belief that Africa’s private sector and entrepreneurs must drive the continent’s social and economic transformation.
About UNDP
The United Nations Development Programme operates in nearly 170 countries and territories, working to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and promote sustainable development.
In Rwanda, UNDP collaborates with the government, civil society, and private sector to strengthen youth innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About the European Union (EU)
The European Union remains a key strategic partner in advancing youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development across Africa.
In Rwanda, the EU works with UNDP, TEF, and the Ministry of Youth and Arts through the Aguka Programme to expand access to economic opportunities, enhance innovation, and strengthen youth-driven development.
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