Akazi Kanoze Youth Employment and Livelihood Outcomes: A Qualitative Follow-up of Program Graduates

Youth make up almost 40% of Rwanda’s population. A 2013 household survey (EICV3) conducted by the Rwandan National Institute of Statistics, found that while only 0.8% of youth are unemployed, 64% are underemployed.

Established in 2009, the USAID-funded Akazi Kanoze Youth Livelihoods Project provided Rwanda youth ages 14-35 with market relevant life and work readiness training and support, on-the-job training opportunities, and links to the employment and self-employment market. Akazi Kanoze (meaning “work well done” in Kinyarwanda) builds capacity and creates linkages between youth, the Rwandan economy and the public and private sector so that youth can access increased opportunities for productive engagement in society. AK youth receive work readiness and entrepreneurship training in addition to internship opportunities for on-the-job learning, job placement services and/or business start-up coaching. At the end of the program, youth receive a certificate signed by the Rwandan Workforce Development Authority (WDA). Over the lifetime of the project, Akazi Kanoze reached 21,039 youth (9,996 Males and 11,043 Females) in 19 Districts across Rwanda through the partnership of 63 local civil society organizations (implementing partners).