Imbuto Foundation awarded 10 young agripreneur winners of Imali Agrichallenge phase 2, each getting seed financing of 10 million and a mentorship of six months to accelerate their ventures The ceremony took place in Kigali on October 24,2025.
While at the ImaliAgriChallenge award ceremony, Christa Umuhoza, the Deputy Director General of the Imbuto Foundation, reflected on why Imbuto Foundation and its partners launched the Challenge:
“Imali means wealth, but not only in the financial sense. For us, it represents the wealth of ideas, creativity, and purpose within our youth. It reflects what we believe Rwanda’s young people are capable of creating solutions that uplift lives, strengthen communities, and drive national progress.”
Alexis Rutagarama, programmes department, Imbuto Foundation, explained the thought that came to mind regarding the #ImaliAgriChallenge: Even though we are called ‘Imali’, we don’t have a good mindset, and we don’t put ourselves first.
"Unemployment among youth doesn't only impact livelihoods; it also affects individuals' mental well-being. Hence, that is perhaps part of the reason why initiatives such as the #ImaliAgriChallenge exist—to empower youth with skills, hope, and purpose," he said.
The 10 winners of Imali AgriChallenge Phase 2 are:
Clémentine Mukeshimana, David Tuyishime, Felice Karangwa, Lydia Murekatete, Yves Bernard Kabagamba, Shakira Uwineza, Grâce Niyonsaba, Trésor Gashonga Karimwabo, Hawa Niyigena, and Valens Ruhorimbere.
According to the Labour Force Survey (Q4, 2024) of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), the youth have a higher unemployment rate than adults: 18% for youth compared to 12.3% for adults.
Imbuto Foundation and its partners introduced Imali Agribusiness Challenge initiative to engage and support youth entrepreneurs in agriculture, helping them scale their impact and empower young farmers. The initiative addresses barriers such as limited access to land, finance, markets, and knowledge, transforming agriculture from an alternative option into a career of choice for Rwanda’s youth.
RYAF Communication