Rwanda is investing in the future of its entrepreneurs with the launch of the Tangira StartUp TV Contest. The program combines competition with mentorship, access to finance and educational resources in Kinyarwanda, giving young founders the tools they need to succeed. More than just a television show, Tangira is designed as a platform that strengthens Rwanda’s start-up ecosystem by offering visibility, networks and knowledge that can accelerate growth.
The contest arrives at a time when entrepreneurship is recognized as central to Rwanda’s economic development. By connecting young people with capital, markets and business skills, Tangira aims to close critical gaps that often prevent start-ups from moving beyond the idea stage. With over Rwf10 million in prizes, the contest is a meaningful opportunity for participants to secure resources that can make a real difference in building their businesses.
Organizers have structured the program to provide both immediate and long-term value. The show will be pre-recorded and is scheduled to air in November 2025 on an online TV platform, reaching audiences across the country. Participants will not only compete for top prizes but will also gain mentorship and networking opportunities that can continue to benefit them well after the contest ends.
Submissions opened on August 20 and will run until September 8, 2025. Applicants are asked to submit a 90-second video pitch of their business or idea on the official website. According to Remmygious Lubega, the show’s Executive Producer and CEO of RG-Consult Inc, the contest is open to all entrepreneurs with ideas or businesses in any sector. He explained that Tangira is an opportunity for founders to present their projects, reach wider markets, attract investors and access capital through the prizes and visibility provided.
The selection process is structured in several phases. After submissions close, contestants will be screened and the top 50 shortlisted. These will then be put to a public vote, allowing Rwandans to play a role in supporting and promoting the country’s entrepreneurial talent. From this group, 12 finalists will be chosen to join a mentorship program in Kigali, where they will take part in on-screen elimination rounds judged by experienced experts. At the end of the process, six participants will be rewarded.
What makes Tangira distinctive is that it has been designed with a wider purpose than the competition alone. The content created for the show will serve as a free entrepreneurship resource in Kinyarwanda, giving young people across Rwanda access to knowledge that can guide them as they build their own businesses. This focus on accessible education means that the lessons of the competition will reach far beyond the participants who appear on screen.
The initiative has already attracted support from key players in Rwanda’s private sector. The Rwanda ICT Chamber at the Private Sector Federation (PSF) is one of the partners backing the show. Its CEO, Alex Ntale, described Tangira as a project designed for the public good and highlighted the importance of making entrepreneurship knowledge available to young innovators in Kinyarwanda. He emphasized that the ICT sector sees the contest as a way to strengthen the start-up ecosystem and expressed commitment to supporting the next generation of founders.
The combination of mentorship, funding and exposure is expected to make a tangible impact. For start-ups, access to capital is often limited and gaining recognition can be a challenge even when their ideas are strong. Tangira addresses both issues by giving participants a platform to be seen and heard while also providing the possibility of financial rewards. The mentorship component adds further value by offering practical guidance from experts who understand the realities of starting and scaling a business.
Visibility through the contest is also likely to attract potential partners, customers and investors for participants. By broadcasting the ideas and energy of Rwanda’s entrepreneurs to a wide audience, the show can create opportunities that extend well beyond the competition itself. For many start-ups, this exposure could be as valuable as the prizes on offer.
The organizers have also stressed that Tangira is not only about the winners. The knowledge and stories shared throughout the contest will help build a culture of entrepreneurship by inspiring others who are watching. In this way, the program contributes to a stronger ecosystem, where more young people can see entrepreneurship as a viable path and access information that helps them succeed.
As the application deadline approaches, interest in the contest is growing. Young innovators across Rwanda see Tangira as a chance to step forward, present their ideas and connect with opportunities that could change their businesses. The contest reflects Rwanda’s broader vision of building an economy driven by innovation and entrepreneurship.
If the program succeeds in its aims, its impact will go far beyond the six winners who walk away with prizes. It will provide knowledge, networks and visibility that strengthen the entrepreneurial community as a whole. Tangira represents a model of how media, business and development can come together to support young founders and ensure that promising ideas have the chance to grow into sustainable enterprises.
By launching this contest, Rwanda is sending a clear signal that it values entrepreneurship and is willing to invest in building the next generation of business leaders. Tangira is set to be more than a competition. It is a step toward a stronger ecosystem where young innovators can access the resources they need to build businesses that contribute to the country’s future.
