Empowering Rwanda’s Youth: SOLVIT Africa’s Collaboration with Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Rwanda in the Digital Skills for Employability Program

Introduction

SOLVIT Africa is honored to partner with Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Rwanda in delivering the Digital Skills for Employability (DSE) Program, launched in 2024. This impactful initiative is part of the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, aiming to equip over 10,000 Rwandan youth—especially young women—with the digital and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in Rwanda’s evolving digital economy.

About the DSE Program

The DSE Program responds to the critical youth unemployment challenge. As highlighted in the 2022 Labour Force Survey, more than one-third of Rwandan youth are not in employment, education, or training. Young women, rural youth, refugees, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) face even greater barriers. The DSE Program addresses these inequalities through:

• Practical training in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy

• Targeted outreach and support to underserved youth

• Pathways to dignified work in the formal ICT and digital economy sectors.

Partners

Led by DOT Rwanda, the program is implemented in partnership with:​

• CLA–Intango Technical Secondary School (TSS)

• Igire Rwanda Organization

• Knowledge Lab (kLab)

• SOLVIT Africa

DSE Vision

Together with its partners, the DSE Program aims to prepare 10,885 youth by 2028, with 81% women, 74% rural youth, 9% refugees, and 6% persons with disabilities.

“Equipping young people with digital and entrepreneurial skills is key to unlocking their potential and fostering sustainable livelihoods.”

— Violette Uwamutara, Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa & Country Director, DOT Rwanda

SOLVIT Africa’s Role in the DSE Program

As an advanced training partner, SOLVIT AFRICA brings specialized expertise in high-demand tech skills and practical youth engagement. SOLVIT leads training sessions, offers one-on-one mentorship, and provides direct support to youth across both urban and rural communities. With its strong local and international networks and industry insight, SOLVIT helps bridge the gap between traditional learning pedagogy with meaningful employment through an industry-focused and practice-based training approach.

SOLVIT AFRICA Impact and Vision

SOLVIT Africa is dedicated to training 990 youth over the next four years, with a strong emphasis on job placement and sustainable career growth. Our goal is to ensure that at least 70% of our graduates secure employment following program completion. By offering hands-on training, mentorship, and industry-relevant skills in fields such as software development, cybersecurity, and data analysis, we aim to create meaningful pathways into Rwanda’s growing digital economy.

That is why we have a program that targets specific aspects of trending technologies which include:

• React.js

• Node.js

• UI/UX design

• Django

Central to SOLVIT Africa’s vision is advancing gender equity in technology. With 60% of our training efforts focused on young women, we are actively working to bridge the gender gap in ICT and promote inclusive participation in the tech sector. We believe that empowering women in digital spaces not only transforms individual lives but also strengthens communities and drives innovation.

Conclusion

SOLVIT AFRICA’s collaboration with DOT Rwanda under the DSE Program exemplifies how local partnerships can accelerate national transformation. By providing inclusive, market-relevant training, we are helping shape a future-ready generation of Rwandan digital leaders—especially young women and marginalized groups. Through targeted outreach, tailored support, and real-world learning opportunities, SOLVIT Africa is shaping a future where all young people—regardless of background—can access dignified, tech-enabled livelihoods.