The campaign was officially launched at the East African University Rwanda (EAUR) Nyagatare campus on May 16, 2025. It is being implemented through the Capital Market Youth Forum, a platform that introduces young people to capital market opportunities.
The initiative, conducted by CMA in collaboration with various partners, will extend to other universities across the country.
During the campaign, students received in-depth insights into how the capital market functions, including strategies for saving through investment, and participated in interactive discussions to deepen their understanding.
Freddy Rukundo, an Accounting student, shared that he learned how to save and invest starting with small amounts of money, and he now plans to join the stock market.
'I used to think that anything under 100,000 Rwandan francs wasn't enough to invest, but now I know it's possible. I've registered to start investing in the Rwandan capital market, and I hope to graduate with savings that will make it easier to enter the job market,' Rukundo remarked.
Esperance Muhoza, who also registered as an investor, said she learned how to invest while saving at the same time.
'For instance, when parents give us money, I can set aside a small portion and start saving it by investing in capital market products. After school, I'll use those funds to join others in investing in a business or opportunity,' she explained.
David Mugabo, a Business Administration student and student representative, said EAUR students were impressed by how CMA taught them to become investors using the limited resources they currently have. He noted that they saw great potential and opportunities for future development.
'We have gained knowledge in mid-growth markets as well as investment. The saving culture will provide a better future for the youth of today,' he revealed.
Dr. James Ndahiro, Technical Advisor at the CMA, emphasised that university students were specifically targeted because they are at a pivotal stage, transitioning from academic life into the workforce, making it the right moment to influence their financial mindset.
'Youth, particularly those at the university level, have the capacity, the drive, and the ability to understand important concepts. This is especially true as they are in a critical phase, transitioning from school to the workplace. We are preparing them to not only navigate that transition but also to recognise opportunities beyond traditional employment,' Ndahiro said.
On the importance of financial discipline, he added: 'Before they begin investing, we emphasise the importance of learning how to save, shifting from a culture of consumption without saving to one of saving before spending."
Emmanuel Masantura Ruziga, Head of Marketing and Sales at the Rwanda National Investment Trust (RNIT) Iterambere Fundâ€"one of CMA's partners in the campaignâ€"noted that a segment of Rwandans still lacks sufficient awareness and education about saving.
He affirmed that RNIT, a government-established company created to promote a culture of saving among Rwandans, is committed to addressing this gap.
'We believe that there is a generation that has missed out on many opportunities to learn about saving. However, we are confident that with collective efforts and collaboration across all industry players, we can mobilise as many people as possible to understand, adopt, and strengthen this important culture of saving,' Ruziga noted.
'If we want to build a society rooted in a strong saving culture, we must start by engaging young people, especially students in schools, colleges, and universities. Together, we must sit down with the Ministry of Education to ensure that financial literacy and the culture of saving are integrated into Rwanda's national education curriculum," he added.
Following the awareness campaign taking place in May, members of the Capital Market Youth Forum will gather in Kigali on June 20, 2025, for a joint training session.
IGIHE
