Learnlife Rwanda: Empowering Future Entrepreneurs

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Learnlife Rwanda, our newest venture aimed at transforming the landscape of entrepreneurship in Rwanda. As we kick off with our first cohort, we reflect on the journey leading to this exciting milestone. 

This initiative marks an important evolution for Learnlife as we expand beyond our three hubs in Spain to address another critical need: empowering young adults in Rwanda to create meaningful opportunities through entrepreneurship.

Our Co-Founder Stephen Harris, with over 17 years of experience building relationships in Rwanda, has seen firsthand how traditional education, whether university or trade-focused, often fails to guarantee employment in the region. 

Learnlife Rwanda seeks to bridge this gap by focusing on mentorship, real-world experience, and community-driven business creation. 

This bold step represents our commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth in communities where they’re needed most. It demonstrates the transformative power of a learner-centred approach on a global scale.

Unlocking the Potential of Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Learnlife Rwanda is more than just a business development programme—it is a transformative experience. 

Our free, immersive six-month programme provides learners with the hands-on skills and knowledge they need to launch real businesses. Through the creation of mini-business units, learners work together in small, self-driven teams to design, build, and grow resilient, community-focused ventures that meet the needs of Rwanda’s vibrant and evolving marketplace. 

Along the way, they also gain invaluable experience as board members of other teams, learning governance, strategic planning, and financial oversight. This dual role—leading and advising—ensures that each learner develops a deep understanding of the operational and advisory aspects of entrepreneurship.

By the end of the programme, each learner or group will have founded their own lean start-up business, which will initially form part of Learnlife Rwanda. These businesses have the potential to become independent entities, but Learnlife Rwanda will retain a 15% stake to ensure ongoing support and collaboration.

What makes Learnlife Rwanda unique is its commitment to collaboration, resilience, and innovation. 

We aim to cultivate a new generation of entrepreneurs equipped to navigate challenges, create solutions, and contribute to their communities. Our programme is designed for unemployed university graduates and adults who have faced disruptions in their education due to dislocation, war, or other life challenges.

The outcome is not just individual success but a thriving ecosystem of businesses that can drive lasting impact in Rwanda.

A Strong Community Foundation

One of the key elements of Learnlife Rwanda’s success lies in the strength of its community.

This project was made possible through the vision and generosity of one Learnlife parent, Aljoscha Schulze, whose belief in the transformative power of entrepreneurship has led to 100% funding for establishing this hub. 

“Co-founding Learnlife Rwanda with Stephen Harris and Barack (Habumugisha Jean) as the managing director has been an incredibly rewarding and inspiring journey.

"Immersing myself in Rwandan culture, interacting with the locals, and living here has been nothing short of amazing. The warmth and hospitality of the people have made me feel at home from the very beginning. Engaging with the community has not only enriched my personal life but also provided invaluable insights that we've woven into our programme,” Aljoscha explains.

Aljoscha’s dedication underscores the importance of a supportive and engaged community in building sustainable enterprises. At Learnlife Rwanda, we recognise that the success of our learners benefits the communities they serve.

By fostering a culture of mutual support and collaboration, we aim to create an ecosystem where every entrepreneur’s growth contributes to the prosperity of those around them.

The broader Learnlife community, including parents, educators, and industry leaders, plays an integral role in this success. We encourage active participation and engagement from all community members, as their insights, expertise, and networks are invaluable to the development of our entrepreneurs. 

The Rwanda hub, in particular, will serve as a model for how interconnected, supportive communities can foster innovation and create sustainable solutions for local challenges.

Grounded in Vision, Powered by Community

At the heart of Learnlife Rwanda’s vision is our founder, Stephen Harris, whose deep personal connection to Rwanda spans over 17 years. 

Stephen’s ongoing commitment to the country, built on years of relationships, collaboration, and a genuine understanding of local contexts, has been a driving force behind this project. His dedication is not just professional; it is deeply personal. 

Stephen’s vision for Learnlife Rwanda reflects his passion for empowering individuals through education, entrepreneurship, and creating opportunities that have a lasting, positive impact. This long-standing relationship with Rwanda ensures that Learnlife Rwanda is not a foreign initiative but a genuinely local one, designed with the country's culture, values, and challenges in mind.

Recent statistics show that almost 19% of Rwandan youth aged 16-24 are unemployed, a rate higher than the national average.

What’s particularly striking is that a significant proportion of unemployed youth are well-educated, signalling the need to better align educational pathways with the skills employers seek. 

For educators, policymakers, and employers, this is a moment to innovate and collaborate. Closing the gap between education and employment will require investments in mentorship, access to capital, and more platforms for youth to showcase their talents and ideas.

These efforts aim to empower young people to create opportunities, not just seek them. Learnlife Rwanda is designed to tackle this challenge, aligning seamlessly with Rwanda's ongoing initiatives to foster entrepreneurship.

“One aspect that has truly amazed me is how straightforward and welcoming the start-up environment is here.

"Setting up Learnlife Rwanda was remarkably smooth and efficient, reflecting Rwanda's active support for new ventures and its appreciation for innovation. It's invigorating to be in a place where bringing ideas to life is not hindered by bureaucracy but rather encouraged.” explains Aljoscha.

Learnlife Rwanda is particularly well-positioned to succeed because its team consists of native Rwandans who are deeply knowledgeable about Rwanda’s unique challenges. It is headed by Programme Lead Habumugisha Jean (who goes by Barack) and Community Host & Admissions Lead Jacky Uwera, both of whom Stephen has known since his early days in Rwanda. 

“Our team is a source of inspiration,” Aljoscha says. “We've been fortunate to assemble a group of highly motivated individuals from diverse backgrounds. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and they're eager to dive into the enterprise development programme we've designed.” 

Looking Ahead

The launch of Learnlife Rwanda marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our mission to redefine how we support entrepreneurs. 

With the support of our parent community, our founder’s deep ties to the country, and the collaborative spirit fostered between our hubs in Spain and Rwanda, we are poised to make a lasting impact. As our first learners begin their transformative journey, we invite you to join us in celebrating this exciting new hub. 

Learnlife Rwanda is not just an opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs; it’s a chance to build a stronger, more resilient community that will shape the future of business and education in Rwanda and beyond.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we embark on this exciting journey together!