Rwanda’s top five youth-led agritech startups have been awarded prizes at the
AYuTe Rwanda 2026 Grand Finale.
AYuTe (Agriculture, Youth, and Technology) Africa Challenge Rwanda 2026 is Heifer International’s flagship agritech innovation program.
The event hosted in the Capital Kigali, was graced by the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye including industry leaders, investors, development partners, and key stakeholders from across Rwanda’s agricultural ecosystem.
The Grand finale is a culmination of a highly competitive journey that attracted over 1,200 applications from young innovators aged 18 to 35 across the country.
According to organisers, a rigorous screening and due diligence process was conducted.
A total of 12 promising startups were selected to participate in an intensive five-day bootcamp held from April (20-24), designed to prepare them for scale and investment readiness.
The bootcamp provided participants with mentorship, tailored business development support, financial planning guidance, and opportunities to engage with industry leaders.
It concluded with a competitive pitch session that saw five finalists advance to today’s Grand Finale.
“Today’s Grand Finale is a powerful demonstration of what is possible when young innovators are given the right support. We are not only celebrating these finalists but also the future of agriculture in Rwanda—one that is innovative, inclusive, and driven by youth,” said Verena Ruzibuka, Country Director of Heifer International Rwanda.
“Today’s event showcases innovative, technology-driven solutions addressing critical challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including productivity, access to inputs, market linkages, and data-driven decision-making,” she added.
The finalists represent a new generation of entrepreneurs leveraging technology to transform Rwanda’s agricultural sector.
During the high-stakes pitch competition, finalists presented their solutions before a panel of judges, investors, and key stakeholders, competing for a total prize pool of RWF 65 million—an increase from RWF 50 million in 2025—reflecting a strengthened commitment to youth-led agribusiness innovation.
“Being part of the Grand Finale is an incredible opportunity,” said finalist Josiane Mujawayezu.
“Today, we get to showcase the work we’ve built and demonstrate how our solutions can create real impact for farmers across Rwanda.”
Earlier in the program, participants highlighted the value of the bootcamp experience.
“Being selected for the AYuTe bootcamp was a significant milestone for us,” said Abdu Usanase of AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA LTD.
“It gave us access to mentorship, networks, and practical skills that helped us refine our solution and prepare for the Grand finale stage.”
Beyond the competition, the Grand Finale serves as a platform to connect innovators with investors, partners, and policymakers, strengthening Rwanda’s agritech ecosystem while creating jobs, improving farmer livelihoods, and building more resilient food systems.
The AYuTe Challenge continues to demonstrate the power of youth-led innovation in transforming agriculture.
By supporting scalable enterprises, the initiative contributes to increased productivity, improved incomes, and stronger agricultural value chains nationwide.
1. Goodness of God (GOG) Ltd: Mutoni Goodluck- Rwf30,000,000
2. Techplus Trust Ltd: Isidole NIYIGIRIMPUHWE – Rwf20,000,000
3. Ampere Vision Rwanda: Muyombano Happy Axel- Rwf10,000,000
4. Vexta Sachet Ltd: Samuel Shema Sonny Munyaneza- Rwf2,000,000 (Emmerging Innovator 2026).
The AYuTe Africa Challenge is an initiative by Heifer International that supports young agripreneurs developing innovative solutions to transform agriculture through technology, mentorship, and access to funding.
