Emery Rubagenga, Junior Achievement Africa Board Member and Chair of the JA Rwanda Steering Committee
As Rwanda continues to position innovation and entrepreneurship at the heart of its development strategy, equipping teachers with practical entrepreneurial skills has become essential to shaping the next generation of changemakers. Educators are no longer just academic facilitators, they are catalysts preparing youth to thrive in a fast-evolving economy.
This foundational shift underscores the importance of empowering teachers to deliver hands-on entrepreneurship education, a core pillar of the Junior Achievement (JA) Company Program, an experiential learning initiative delivered through the SET4LYF (School-to-Work Educational Transitions for Long-term Youth Fulfilment) Program.
This program is designed to equip teachers with the tools and confidence needed to guide students through real-world business creation, from identifying opportunities and developing solutions to managing ventures. It moves learning from theory to practice, ensuring young people develop the mindset and skill set required for life beyond the classroom.
In early April, 30 teachers from across Rwanda gathered at La Palisse Hotel in Nyamata for a transformative workshop organized by Junior Achievement (JA) Rwanda, this is in addition to 50 who were part of an earlier cohort making it a total of 80. The training focused on integrating the JA Company Program into the secondary school curriculum, marking a significant step forward in expanding entrepreneurship education in the country.
Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Real-World Application
Speaking at the training, Emery Rubagenga, Junior Achievement Africa Board Member and Chair of the JA Rwanda Steering Committee, emphasized how the initiative fills a crucial gap in traditional education.
“Many young people graduate with little practical understanding of business. They’ve learned theory but haven’t experienced entrepreneurship firsthand. The JA Company Program bridges that gap by immersing students in real-world business development,” he explained.
“By the time they leave university, business won’t seem like an intimidating concept. They will have built and managed ventures as part of their classroom journey.”
30 teachers trained in April added to the existing 50.
Rubagenga also noted the program’s alignment with Rwanda’s national development agenda.
“We’re working closely with the Ministry of Youth and Rwanda TVET Board to ensure this model supports the country’s broader economic transformation goals.”
Simi Nwogugu, CEO of JA Africa, emphasized the transformative vision behind the initiative:
“Our goal is to impact 17,000 young girls in upper secondary schools across Rwanda through the SET4LYF Program. This year, we are focused on technical secondary schools, but the vision is to expand annually. It’s more than knowledge, it’s about instilling belief in their power to shape their future.”
Already, in 2025, the program has reached 2,973 female students through direct interactions in schools. These students have been introduced to essential concepts like ideation and human-centered design—key tools that help them kickstart their own ventures. All of them are now actively participating in the JA Company Program, applying these lessons through real business creation.
Educators Reimagining the Classroom
Pelagie Niyibizi, a teacher at GS Camp Kigali, described the training as a turning point.
“Thanks to this training, we now feel capable of helping our students turn business ideas into reality. We now have a clear roadmap and resources on how to do that.”
Clement Nyirababyeyi from ESI Rubengera echoed her thoughts.
Clement Nyirababyeyi, Teacher ESI Rubengera, said he will change how he taught students after the training.
“This experience reshaped how I teach. I now understand how to equip students with tools that meet real-life challenges, not just classroom expectations.”
The interactive workshop featured group exercises where teachers developed and pitched business ideas, gaining direct experience in marketing, product development, and financial planning. These same experiential methods will be brought into their classrooms, empowering students to create and manage their own ventures.
Youth Mentorship and Peer Exchange
During implementation, interns from the African Leadership University (ALU) are supporting the delivery of the program in participating schools.
“What I appreciated most was how teachers were eager to learn from us, just as we learned from them,” shared Sonia Uwase, one of the ALU interns.
“When students begin to believe they can lead solutions, real change starts,” added Jacent Karamba, another ALU intern supporting the rollout.
The group projects proposed by teachers ranged from agribusiness initiatives to tech-enabled health platforms, all critiqued by facilitators who emphasized feasibility, clarity, and sustainability—principles that students will soon apply in their own entrepreneurial journeys.
Fostering Skills Beyond Business
Safari Phillippe, SET4LYF Program Manager at JA Rwanda and lead facilitator, highlighted the holistic nature of the curriculum.
“Entrepreneurship isn’t just technical, it’s about mindset, leadership, collaboration, and resilience. That’s why our training includes modules on communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. These are life skills.”
Scaling for Impact
Since making its mark during the 2023 JA Africa Company of the Year competition, where Rwanda’s Green Hills Academy won the Innovation of the Year Award, JA Rwanda has rapidly scaled operations. This progress is backed by partners including the Rwanda TVET Board, the Ministry of Youth and Arts, and Project Management Institute, positioning the Company Program as a core model in Rwanda’s educational transformation.
Reflecting on the momentum, Emery Rubagenga emphasized the importance of mentoring students and equipping teachers with the right skills.
“When we mentor students and equip teachers, we are laying the foundation for long-term transformation. Entrepreneurship is not just a career it’s a mindset, and one that can redefine futures.”
As the SET4LYF initiative gains traction, JA Africa invites government agencies, private sector partners, and education champions to collaborate in expanding this model across Rwanda and beyond preparing young people to lead Africa’s future.
Junior Achievement Rwanda is a member of Junior Achievement Africa, which is part of Junior Achievement Worldwide — a global organization that has operated for over 100 years and has been nominated annually for the Nobel Peace Prize since 2022, in recognition of its contributions to economic empowerment, prosperity, and peace.
