Green Growth: Businesses in Rwanda partner to empower young people
SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda hosted a meeting with private-sector employers to consult and explore how businesses can better support youth employment and skills development.
According to a recent gender-sensitive labour market assessment conducted under the Green Growth: Empowering Youth for a Green Future (Green Growth) project:
- 83% of employed young people work in informal employment, without contracts, predictable income or social protections.
- 20% of young people are unemployed, with women, young mothers, and people with disabilities facing higher barriers to securing decent jobs.
Jean Bosco Ngabonzima, Director of the Business Development Unit in Gisagara District, emphasized the scale of the issue:
“More than 42,000 people in Gisagara District are unemployed, most of them young people. The private sector has an important role to play by providing job placements and internship opportunities for young people.”
Bridging the gap between training and employment
Young people’s unemployment remains a pressing challenge in many communities, particularly in districts with rapidly growing youth populations. Employers highlighted a gap between academic knowledge and practical, job-ready skills.
Emmanuel Ntagwabira, General Manager of Diplomate Hotel, emphasized the need for hands-on experience:
“We offer job opportunities to young people, but the pertinent issue is that many of them lack hands-on skills. Most graduates are strong in theory, yet they are reluctant to engage in further practical training because they believe their education already prepared them for the job market.”
He noted that this disconnect affects both employers and job seekers.
“Our recommendation to the Green Growth project is to focus on supporting young people with practical training. Hands-on skills are what truly prepare them for employment.”
Telesphore Habera, owner of Demi-Sheraton Hotel, also pointed to the scale of youth unemployment in his district:
“When we advertise just one position, we can receive between 500 and 600 applications, and most of them are from young people.”
These insights reinforce the importance of aligning training with labour market needs, including emerging opportunities in green and sustainable sectors.
Octave Shyaka, SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda’s Green Growth Project Manager, highlighted the project’s ambition to empower youth across five districts: Kayonza, Nyagatare, Gisagara, Gasabo, and Bugesera.
“We have already identified 1,032 young people, including young people with disabilities, from Muganza, Musha, and Save. Our goal is to strengthen their practical skills through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools. This is where collaboration with the private sector becomes essential.”
Jackson Sehigiri, Headteacher of Musha Technical Secondary School, emphasized the role of practical skills in strengthening communities:
“Vocational skills are one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty in communities. When young people gain practical skills, they are better prepared to find jobs or start their own projects. We have already seen many success stories where students complete major projects through their training.”
Child safeguarding at the centre of everything
Isimbi Deborah Abieilah, SOS Children’s Villages Interim Head of Child Safeguarding and Child Protection, reminded participants that the safety and rights of children and young people remain a top priority across all programs implemented by SOS Children’s Villages.
As a child-focused organization, SOS Children’s Villages ensures that all partners uphold strong safeguarding standards.
Why your support matters
By combining skills development, internships and strong partnerships, the Green Growth project helps young people build real-world experience and access pathways to decent work in a greener, more inclusive economy.
Your support helps young people gain the skills and confidence they need to shape their futures and contribute to stronger communities. Every dollar you contribute is 3X matched, multiplying your impact and maximizing hope.
Green Growth is a five-year initiative launched in 2025 in partnership with the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.