Young Africa Works Dialogue 2025 - Rwanda
Kigali, Rwanda. November 27, 2025
Under the theme "Unlocking Finance for Youth Entrepreneurship", this national gathering aims to spark a moment of listening, recognition, and decisive action. The event aims to deepen awareness, reframe narratives, and forge connections for practical, gender-responsive financial solutions.
Rural Young Women Transforming Rwanda
Rural young women entrepreneurs are driving Rwanda's growth. Their leadership and creativity are powering innovation and progress in their communities, and with the right support, they can scale their ideas, create jobs, and shape Rwanda's economic future.
To unlock this potential, relevant and affordable finance must be put within their reach. Removing the layered barriers they face - through inclusive policies, accessible financial products, and targeted action - will help accelerate growth, not just for young people, but for the entire Rwandan economy.
Rwanda Stakeholders Renew Commitment to Expanding Inclusive Finance for Rural Young Women Entrepreneurs
Watch the highlights of the Young Africa Works Dialogue Series in Rwanda
The Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works Dialogue is a platform that brings together policymakers, financial institutions, young entrepreneurs, and ecosystem actors to identify practical solutions that accelerate access to dignified and fulfilling work. The Rwanda Edition focused on the structural barriers affecting rural young women entrepreneurs and the systemic actions needed to strengthen access to finance across the country.
Lessons learned through our program and partners confirms what we already know: access to capital is fundamental to the growth of enterprises, value chains, sectors, and economies. Our shared challenge is therefore: How do we make capital truly accessible to young rural women entrepreneurs?
Ivan Ntwali, Country Director Rwanda, Mastercard Foundation, opened the Young Africa Works Dialogue, placing young rural women entrepreneurs at the centre of the discussion.
Focus on the dignity and agency of rural young women entrepreneurs
Sconaid McGeachin, Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer, reflected on the importance of listening, learning, and grounding ourselves in the realities of young people, in order to serve them better. She underscored that effective financial solutions start by listening to young women and creating products that reflect their aspirations and realities. Sconaid highlighted four guiding principles for expanding access to finance in rural areas: grounding decisions in lived experiences, co-creating with young women, ensuring institutional accountability, and building trust through consistent engagement.
Our Work in Rwanda
The Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy in Rwanda is focused on supporting and enabling employment for young people, which is considered a key driver to unlocking prosperity.
