We empower and scale up youth-led entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector for sustainable national development.
We empower and scale up youth-led entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector for sustainable national development.
Established by H.E the First Lady Mrs. Jeannette Kagame in 2001, Imbuto Foundation has been implementing a holistic approach to uplift the most vulnerable communities through education, health, and empowerment programmes for women and youth.
Over the past years, the Imbuto Foundation has supported 2081 Youth and women in agriculture with the goal of improving the living standards of disadvantaged groups, particularly youth and female-headed households, by training them in income-generating activities, particularly tomato intensification and marketing.
Established in 2001 by Her Excellency the First Lady of the Republic of Rwanda, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, Imbuto Foundation began as Protection and Care of Families against HIV/AIDS (PACFA), an initiative under the Office of the First Lady created to mobilize resources in the fight against HIV/AIDS and support families, including women deliberately infected during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Over the years, PACFA grew to embrace more programmes and in 2007, it changed its name to Imbuto Foundation to reflect its evolution and new fields of activity, through programmes in health, education, youth and economic empowerment. Literally translated Imbuto means “seed”. A seed well planted, watered, nurtured and given all the necessary support successfully grows into a healthy plant; one that reaches high and stands tall. This vision shapes Imbuto Foundation’s current and future initiatives.
In recent years, Imbuto Foundation has strengthened its contribution to agriculture and agripreneurship by empowering over 3,000 youth and women through initiatives that promote income-generating activities such as tomato intensification and market access. The Agriculture Programme focuses on improving the livelihoods of women and youth by equipping them with the skills and resources needed to thrive as agripreneurs. Through this approach, the Foundation nurtures youth entrepreneurship in agriculture, enabling young leaders to scale their impact, drive economic growth, and contribute to sustainable national development.
Rwanda’s population is predominantly young, with 62.5% under the age of 30, yet youth unemployment remains at 12.9%, and 28.4% of young people are neither in employment, education, or training. While over half of youth are engaged in market-oriented agriculture, challenges such as limited access to land, finance, markets, and knowledge restrict their full participation. Agriculture remains the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, but productivity, climate risks, and low youth engagement remain key issues.
Imbuto Foundation and 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.
The initiative recognizes young people not just as beneficiaries but as catalysts for modernizing and professionalizing the sector. Through mentorship, seed funding, and targeted support, Imbuto Foundation empowers youth-led agribusinesses to increase productivity, create jobs, and drive sustainable economic growth in the agriculture sector.
Imbuto Foundation adopts a comprehensive approach to identifying and supporting promising youth-led agribusinesses. The process begins with a broad outreach campaign through social media, television, radio, and talk shows to engage young Rwandan nationals and residents aged 18 to 30 and invite applications via the Foundation’s website.
Applications undergo a thorough screening and field verification in collaboration with implementing partners, assessing innovation, feasibility, social impact, and alignment with the agriculture sector. Shortlisted teams participate in an intensive boot camp designed to strengthen pitching skills and business development knowledge, preparing them for final selection.
Selected projects then join a mentorship and coaching program, which includes one-on-one business mentorship, financial literacy and management training, product development and go-to-market strategies, and leadership and entrepreneurial mindset building.
10 Million each
25 Million
15 Million
10 Million
5 Million each
Thank you for your interest in Imali Agribusiness Challenge phase 2. Applications closed on 5 April 2025.
Stay tuned for future opportunities.
Thank you for your interest in the Imali Agribusiness Challenge. To make the process easier for you.
Below are some of the key criteria considered in the selection process:
1. The project should be in the agriculture value chain.
2. The projects should be in the implementation stage.
3. The owner should be a youth between 18 and 30 years old.
4. . The project should have a physical working place for implementation.
5. The project should be sustainable and have a plan for job creation.
6. The project must have a registration certificate from the Rwanda Development Board
(RDB) or Rwanda Cooperatives Agency (RCA)
7. To attend the mentorship of 6 months in case your project is selected.
8. It should be an environmentally friendly project.
9. The project should be operational, engage other farmers, and be able to prove it.
Murakoze gusura urubuga rw’irushanwa rya Imali Agribusiness Challenge.
Bimwe mu bizagenderwaho mu guhitamo imishinga izitabira irushanwa:
1. Kuba ari umushinga uri mu buhinzi bwongera umusaru
2. Kuba ari umushinga usanzwe ukora kandi ufite ibikorwa bifatika
3. Nyir’ umushinga agomba kuba ari mu cyiciro cy’urubyiruko (hagati y’imyaka 18 na 30)
4. Kuba umushinga ufite aho ukorera hazwi
5. Umushinga ugomba kugaragaza ko uzakomeza kwaguka kandi uzatanga akazi ku bantu benshi
mu gihe kiri imbere
6. Umushinga ugomba kuba ufite icyemezo cy’uko wanditswe muri Rwanda Development Board
(RDB) cyangwa Rwanda Cooperatives Agency (RCA)
7. Kuba nyir’umushinga azabasha kuboneka mu mahugurwa (Mentorship) mu gihe cy’amezi 6
8. Kuba ari umushinga wita ku bidukikije
9. Kuba ari umushinga ukorana n’ abandi bahinzi kandi witeguye kubyerekana
