RCA Students Share JA Africa Competition Experience

Students from Rwanda Coding Academy have described their experience at the JA Africa regional competition as transformative, after representing Rwanda in Abuja, Nigeria, in December 2025.

The four students earned the opportunity after winning the 2025 JA Rwanda National Company of the Year Competition. They competed at the regional level from December 3 to 5 in Abuja, where they joined top student entrepreneurs from across the continent.

According to the team, the competition exposed them to intense peer learning, diverse innovation models, and higher standards of presentation and execution beyond Rwanda’s borders.

JA Africa’s role in youth entrepreneurship

The regional contest was organised by JA Africa, one of the continent’s largest organisations promoting youth economic empowerment. Through national offices such as JA Rwanda, the organisation equips young people with practical skills in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy.

In Rwanda, JA implements the Company Program under the SET4LYF initiative. Launched in 2025, the programme currently runs in 80 technical secondary schools and will expand further in 2026.

Agro Haven: innovation rooted in sustainability

The RCA students competed under the company name Agro Haven, a student-led venture that won the national title in November. The project addresses challenges linked to urbanisation, shrinking arable land, and environmental pollution.

Agro Haven applies a vertical, soil-free farming model that reduces land use while maximising productivity. In addition, the system integrates artificial intelligence to predict crop growth and optimise nutrient delivery at each stage.

Learning beyond competition

The JA Company Program runs for 16 weeks and guides students through the full business cycle, from ideation to product sales. As a result, participants gain hands-on experience and career-ready skills.

Agro Haven’s Chief Executive Officer, Ange Kevine Uwayo, said the regional competition initially felt intimidating. However, the experience motivated the team to prepare more rigorously.

Despite not finishing among the top three teams, the students earned the Delta Airlines Award. The recognition allows all four members to attend the Girls Lead Camp in Ghana in March 2026, where they will strengthen leadership skills and explore STEM career paths.

Exposure, mentorship, and next steps

While in Nigeria, the team also met Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Christophe Bazivamo, who encouraged them to scale their innovation beyond national borders. They further explored Abuja’s cultural and educational sites, which broadened their perspective on regional creativity.

Agro Haven’s Chief Operations Officer, Kevine Niyikora Ihimbazwe, said interactions with other teams helped them understand scaling strategies, financial management, and product differentiation. She encouraged fellow students to embrace entrepreneurship through structured programmes like JA.

Looking ahead, JA Rwanda plans to introduce a structured mentorship framework. Through partnerships with BK Foundation, Equity, and Ecobank, professionals will support students throughout the programme. The organisation aims to reach 36,000 students this year by expanding to more schools nationwide.