Kigali, 28 August 2026, The Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF) has put together 145 newly elected youth leaders, for a sort of three-day Leadership and Governance Induction Programme, meant to boost their ability to speak for young people, push inclusive agribusiness, and help Rwanda’s agricultural transformation along, you know.
This programme, taking place from 26 to 28 August 2026, at Play Hotel in Kigali, comes right after RYAF’s nationwide elections, and it gathers 140 District Committee representatives with five National Board Directors, in one place.
The induction is built to give these new leaders practical knowledge and skills in governance, leadership, youth advocacy, gender inclusion, safeguarding, and strategic action planning, all at once, not like later.
During the official opening, RYAF Chairperson Sakina Usengimana welcomed the newly elected leaders and said she really appreciated government institutions and development partners for their ongoing support to RYAF.
She specifically recognised the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) for its continued cooperation with RYAF across the organization’s 10-year journey, and she also thanked AGRA for backing the leadership induction programme and also Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (Eaff).
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Arts (MOYA), Dr Damien Shumbusha praised RYAF’s efforts in agriculture and urged the new leaders to produce visible, tangible results for the young people they represent.
“We deeply appreciate RYAF for the great work you do in agriculture. We expect a lot from you and those you represent, and the country looks forward to the results you will deliver. Thank you, and keep taking bold steps forward.”
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Olivier Kamana, also advised the newly elected representatives to tighten collaboration and actively contribute to Rwanda’s national agricultural development priorities.
“As Rwanda Agriculture, we will continue to collaborate with you. It is commendable to have RYAF onboard, and I urge you as elected representatives to work together and actively contribute to key national development frameworks, including NST2 and PSTA5, aimed at accelerating agricultural productivity.”
The second day leaned more into practical leadership, advocacy, inclusion, safeguarding, and the opportunities open to young people across Rwanda’s agribusiness sector.
Lucia Zigiriza, Senior Partners Coordination Officer at AGRA Rwanda, challenged the newly elected leaders to go beyond their positions and focus on generating measurable impact in agriculture, not just talk.
She called for a generation of young people who are skilled, innovative, and enthusiastic about agriculture, able to contribute to food security today, while also helping build sustainable agricultural systems for the future.
“We need youth who are skilled, innovative and passionate about agriculture to feed today and sustain tomorrow.”
Leadership and organizational development stayed central through the programme too. Noel, Chief Executive Officer of Umutanguha Finance Company, facilitated a session on leadership, offering participants practical perspectives on responsibility, effective leadership, and how decision-making should really work in practice.
There was also a session on Youth Advocacy for Inclusive, Safe and Sustainable Agribusiness, with discussions on advocacy, inclusion, and social safeguarding led by an AGRA specialist.
That session underlined how important it is to build safe and inclusive spaces where young people can participate meaningfully in agribusiness, and also contribute to decision-making processes that shape the sector.
The induction created room as well for participants to learn about practical opportunities available across the agricultural value chain.
Representatives from HEAR presented the Enhancing Market Access and Inclusivity in Rwanda’s Horticulture Value Chain project, pointing out opportunities linked to market access and inclusion within the horticulture space.
At the same time, Bank of Kigali shared financial products and opportunities available to young people, so participants could better understand potential ways to access finance and develop enterprises.
Also, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), through its SPIU, presented programmes and opportunities meant to support stronger youth participation in agriculture.
Taken together, these sessions helped the newly elected leaders connect leadership and governance with practical opportunities that can support young agripreneurs, and strengthen their engagement across agricultural value chains, step by step.
As the three-day programme reaches its end, the induction is reinforcing a shared responsibility among RYAF’s newly elected leaders, to strengthen the organisation and deliver meaningful outcomes for the young people they represent.
In her closing remarks, RYAF Chairperson Sakina Usengimana thanked participants for committing their time to the programme and encouraged them to turn the knowledge into action, rather than leaving it as notes.
She stressed the need to work together toward a shared vision of “Building the RYAF We Want.”
Overall, the induction is a key step in RYAF’s continuing efforts to build a strong, accountable, and inclusive youth leadership structure, one that can contribute to Rwanda’s agricultural transformation.
With 145 newly elected representatives now equipped with strengthened knowledge in leadership, governance, advocacy, and agribusiness opportunities, RYAF aims to make sure youth voices are increasingly represented in agricultural development conversations, and that young people end up playing a more active role in shaping the future of Rwanda’s agribusiness sector.
Jean Bernard MUKUNDENTE/RYAF Communication and Public Relations
Email:b.mukundente@ryaf.rw/ryafcommunication@gmail.com