On October 29, 2024, Ms. Nthanda Manduwi, founder of the Ntha Foundation (and by extension the Kwathu Kollective), represented the organization as a speaker at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit’s virtual discussion on “Digital Skills and Youth Innovation.” Hosted by YouthConnekt Africa and co-hosted by UNDP Rwanda, the event focused on how digital skills can empower young Africans to drive innovation and address pressing challenges across the continent.
The discussion, moderated by seasoned journalist and youth advocate Jackie Lumbasi, featured a panel of inspiring leaders. Julien Dushime from Rwanda’s Right Lamp Shine Group Ltd highlighted sustainable lighting solutions to empower underserved communities. Niyonzeye Abdul, CEO of SmartClass Ltd, emphasized his efforts to bridge digital learning gaps in Rwanda. Mayowa Olajide Akinleye, founder of Motivar, shared insights on the importance of mentorship and community support for young African entrepreneurs.
Representing the Ntha Foundation, Nthanda shared her expertise on the role of digital skills in enabling youth innovation, particularly in underserved communities. She discussed practical strategies to improve digital literacy, encourage entrepreneurial mindsets, and create inclusive spaces for young innovators. Her contribution drew from her experience with digitalskillsforafrica.com and the challenges she has encountered as a young entrepreneur.
Key Highlights from the Discussion
- The Power of Digital Skills: Access to digital tools and skills can be transformative, enabling young people to initiate change in their communities, create jobs, and solve societal issues.
- Youth Innovation as a Catalyst for Development: Speakers highlighted how young innovators in education, sustainability, and tech are shaping Africa’s future by developing solutions for unique local challenges.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: The importance of cross-border collaborations with organizations like YouthConnekt and UNDP was emphasized as a way to scale youth-led projects and extend their impact.
Reflections on the Entrepreneurial Journey
Nthanda also shared insights from her journey as a young entrepreneur, including the challenges of:
- Establishing Credibility in a field often dominated by more experienced professionals, which required building trust and proving the viability of her solutions.
- Accessing Funding and Resources without an established track record, prompting her to explore alternative funding methods and sustainable business models.
- Expanding Networks from limited beginnings, which involved strategic outreach and initiatives like the Nyenyezi Entrepreneurial Fellowship to connect with mentors and support other young entrepreneurs.
- Balancing Multiple Roles in the early stages of her ventures, managing everything from strategy to operations.
- Growing Personally and Professionally alongside her organizations, continuously developing new skills and leadership abilities to guide her teams effectively.
Join the Conversation
The Ntha Foundation encourages all young innovators and supporters of digital transformation to listen to the session’s replay and join future discussions hosted by YouthConnekt Africa. The platform provides invaluable resources and insights that empower young people across Africa to be leaders in digital innovation. Stay tuned to the Ntha Foundation website for more updates on initiatives that promote youth empowerment and digital skills across the continent.
Work With Us
Want to partner on or fund one of our programmes / initiatives? We are always open to collaborations and partnerships. Contact our Business Development Associate; Ms. Abigail Zingani via contact@kwathucentre.org, or give us a call(direct or WhatsApp) on +265991850749.
To keep up with the work of the Ntha Foundation, our hubs under the Kwathu Kollective, our initiatives, and our projects, follow us on social media:
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