Held under the theme 'Rooted. Growing. Thriving.', this year's edition highlighted a committed generation determined to build bridges between their host country and their country of origin.
One of the event's distinctive features was that it was entirely coordinated by young people themselves, demonstrating their sense of responsibility and their ability to mobilize and unite their peers around shared goals.
To attend the gathering, some participants travelled hundreds of kilometres, with several spending more than six hours on the road to reach Hamburg and reconnect with fellow Rwandans living across Germany. Beyond the conference itself, the event represented a rare opportunity to meet, expand professional and social networks, and strengthen ties within a community spread across a vast country.
The main activities on June 20 focused on discussions and thematic panels addressing issues that matter to young people in the diaspora.
The first panel, 'Rooted in Values, Connected by Purpose: Rwandan Youth in the Digital Era,' moderated by Daisy Igihozo and featuring Gildas Mukunde, First Counsellor at the Embassy of Rwanda in Germany, alongside Anaïs Usanase and Amani Shema, emphasized the importance of preserving Rwandan values in an increasingly digital world and using digital tools to strengthen community engagement.
The second panel, 'Success Beyond Career: Empowering Rwandan Youth with Skills, Resilience, and Responsibility,' moderated by Samantha Kayitete Murera, brought together Dr Kaneza Elisabeth, Moise Mwiseneza and Leilla Umutoni to discuss resilience, leadership, responsibility and skills development.
The third panel, 'Insights on Financial Literacy, Legal Awareness, and Pathways to Entrepreneurship,' moderated by Delice Perle Ikirezi and featuring Ange Bella Kabano, Musafiri Sebiziga, Protogene Hahirwabayo and Guillaume Habarurema, focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and the importance of collective investment.
A conversation titled 'Rooted Identity Beyond Borders: Belonging and the Global Rwandan Experience,' led by Nadège Akamanzi with Madame Jeanne Adili Ndatirwa, further explored questions of identity, belonging and the role of Rwandans living abroad in shaping the country's future.
Beyond the panel discussions, participants also took part in open exchanges that allowed them to share personal experiences, daily challenges and powerful testimonies about navigating life between Rwanda and Germany. These discussions revealed a common reality: despite the distance, their attachment to Rwanda remains deeply rooted.
The event also featured a session on youth engagement in Germany, facilitated by Naomi Ikamba and Moise Mwiseneza, highlighting the importance of further structuring youth-led initiatives across the country.
The highlight of the gathering was the closing address delivered by Rwanda's Ambassador to Germany, Igor Cesar, who reminded participants that they are not mere observers of Rwanda's development but active contributors to its future.
Addressing the young audience gathered from different German cities, he stressed that the diaspora is considered Rwanda's 'sixth province' and encouraged them to remain organized, united and ambitious.
Drawing on the example of the Rwandan community in Kaiserslautern, he demonstrated how a simple collective initiative can generate meaningful impact, citing a solidarity mechanism that helped finance health insurance for vulnerable people in Rwanda.
He also encouraged young people not to separate their lives in Germany from their Rwandan identity, but rather to transform the skills and experiences acquired abroad into opportunities for Rwanda, including through collaborative entrepreneurial projects.
After the official discussions and speeches, participants gathered for an evening of cultural performances, music and moments of fellowship.
More than a celebration, the evening became a space for meaningful connections among young Rwandans from different parts of Germany. Participants strengthened friendships, built new relationships and expanded a network that now extends beyond regional boundaries.
These moments perfectly embodied the spirit of Rwanda Youth Connect Germany: bringing together young members of the diaspora to share experiences, support one another and jointly contribute to Rwanda's future.
Rwanda Youth Connect Germany 2026 demonstrated that beyond geographical distances, a united, organized and deeply rooted generation can become a powerful force for national development.
The message that resonated throughout the event was clear: the Rwandan youth in the diaspora are not simply preparing Rwanda's future; they are already helping to build it.
In 2025, the Rwandan diaspora injected US$639.84 million into Rwanda's economy, reaffirming its essential role in the country's development.
Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwandan-youth-in-germany-affirm-their-role-in-building-rwandas-future/
