Rwandan youth wins AAIN Best incubatee award in Accra
Oct 08, 2016
After a series of pitching sessions that were moderated by representatives of incubators and financial institutions, 18-year-old Sandrine Mutezinka from Rwanda won this year’s prestigious Best Incubatee Award.
On the second day of the Pan African Agribusiness Conference taking place in Accra Ghana, the youth made more than a statement.
After a series of pitching sessions that were moderated by representatives of incubators and financial institutions, 18-year-old Sandrine Mutezinka from Rwanda won this year's prestigious Best Incubatee Award.
The African Agribusiness Incubator Network (AAIN) Best incubatee award is awarded to young entrepreneurs who not only have business ideas, but know how to present their ideas to potential investors and have a clear plan to create jobs for others.
More action, less speech
In her presentations, Mutezinka hinted on the need for youth and women to take part in their own empowerment in an environment that should be made more conducive by governments.
HE Rhoda Peace Tumusiime announced the AU's commitment to continued support towards the youth as part of agenda 2063 and CAADP
"We can have the policies, the forums and the education, but there's need to also learn from those of us who are running successful agribusiness enterprises. We need hands-on experience," she said.
The award, which came with a $5,000 cash prize was handed over to Mutezinka by Her Excellency Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Economy on Wednesday accompanied by Prof Henry Bwisa, the AAIN Board Chairperson and Dr Alex Ariho the AAIN CEO.
This was part of the inaugural African Youth in Agribusiness Day that AAIN plans to host annually.