Three win Frw 8.2 million as Tigo Rwanda, Reach for Change announce Tigo Digital Changemakers competition winners

Tigo Rwanda, in partnership with non-profit organization Reach for Change, have today announced the three winners of the 2017 Tigo Digital Changemakers competition. The winners of the competition are Origene Igiraneza, Alain Patrick Irere Hirwa and Bobson Rugambwa. Each winner will receive Rwf 8.2 million.

The three Tigo Digital Changemakers competition winners, chosen out of a field of 130 applicants, were selected following a rigorous vetting process that involved Tigo, its partner Reach for Change, and external experts.

The three winners were announced during the closing ceremony of the 2017 Tigo Digital Changemakers competition on Tuesday 5 December at KLab, Kigali.

Reacting to the result of the competition, new Digital Changemaker, Bobson Rugambwa of MVend said,

“I am excited to have made it this far and won the competition. This gives us the opportunity to do more. We will be using the money to fund a recruitment drive to take our product to more people. Thank you Tigo. Thank you Reach for Change”

In her remarks Africa Communications Manager, Reach for Change, Tadzie Madzima-Bosha, noted:

“In this year’s competition, we were looking for 3 social entrepreneurs with extraordinary projects that use digital tools and technology to create or grow their impact. We are excited about these new Changemakers and we look forward to working with them to closely see them achieve more social impact and growth in their organizations by combining their passion, with technology and advice from Tigo and coaching from the Reach for Change Incubator.”

Bobson Rugambwa of MVend (2nd Right) is flanked by Tigo CEO Philip Amoateng

 

 

Detailing the reason why Tigo Rwanda continues to support the Changemakers competition, Tigo Rwanda Chief Executive Officer, Philip Amoateng said;

“Through its investment in the Competition, Tigo is actively supporting local ICT solutions that improve the communities’ welfare, while also creating job opportunities and skills transfer. This is important for Tigo because we are part and parcel of the Rwandan community and there is clear evidence that supporting digital and financial inclusion initiatives, such as this competition, will improve people’s lives”.

In her keynote address, the Guest of Honor Claudette Irere, Director General, Innovation and Business Development, Ministry of Information Technology and Communications said;

“Rwanda’s digital transformation is a journey and this initiative fits very well in that journey. To Tigo and Reach for Change, thank you for your contribution towards making Rwanda a better and more conducive space for innovators. You walk the talk. Thank you very much. We have a lot to achieve together. Connectivity for all by 2024, Digital Skills for All by 2024, you name it. We are glad we can cunt on you as partners in this journey”.

 

The sixth edition of the Tigo Digital Changemakers competition, launched on 14^th October in partnership with non-profit organization Reach for Change, aimed at identifying and supporting four social entrepreneurs who utilized digital technology to improve society and positively impact future generations.

In addition to a cash prize of Frw 8.2 million, each of the three winning candidates enjoy access to Reach for Change’s Incubator programme, which includes business training, access to a global network of other social entrepreneurs and much more.

Speaking at the launch of the 2017 Tigo Digital Changemakers competition, Tigo Rwanda Chief Business Officer, Amit Chawla said;

“Together with our partner Reach for Change we have supported 12 social entrepreneurs in the Reach for Change Incubator, who have impacted the lives of over 66,000 children in Rwanda. These social entrepreneurs have made use of funding, coaching, mentorship and more to create impressive impact in Rwanda. We are also excited to bring even more young innovators to the fore with this competition”.

Lindy Larson, Reach for Change Africa Programs Manager, said: “We are looking for the best innovative digital ideas that can provide genuine solutions to problems facing children and society, while at the same time promoting connectivity, financial inclusion, and digital inclusion particularly in deprived communities. We believe social entrepreneurship has the power to drive change in our communities.”

THE 2017 TIGO DIGITAL CHANGEMAKERS WINNERS

1. Origene Igiraneza (O’genius Panda)
   After four years of research O'genius Priority Ltd has developed a digital platform to help students and 78% of Rwandan schools to get access to practical skills through digital labs that bring the learner in a virtual reality as well as inspire children, especially girls, to join science and technology. O'genius Panda simplifies subjects otherwise labeled ‘difficult’ through simulations, animations and applications in real life. It also provides an opportunity for teachers to make extra income through online classes.
2. Alain Patrick Irere Hirwa (Tubiganire TV)
   There has been an increase in teenage pregnancy from 6.2% to 7.3% in 2014-2015. Tubiganire TV is a mobile platform that stimulates Rwandan parents to open up to their children and get involved in their sexual reproductive health experiences. Our platform uses a fictional TV series that is to be aired both on TV and on our mobile application. 
3. Bobson Rugambwa (MVend)
   MVend is a mobile based core-banking system that enables VSLA members to build their financial track record by saving digitally. A complete mobile banking suite for savings groups that give them the ability to save, borrow, pay bills, and transfer funds, all electronically, all by mobile, while maintaining the group's three-person authorization via 3 PIN transaction approvals.

About Tigo Rwanda

Tigo Rwanda is owned by Millicom, a leading telecommunications and media company uniquely dedicated to emerging markets in Latin America and Africa. It provides mobile, mobile financial, cable and satellite services to over 60 million customers in fourteen countries, primarily under the Tigo brand. Tigo has been operating in Africa since 1993, in Rwanda since 2009, and serves over 26 million customers in Africa.

Currently, Tigo Rwanda has over three million customers and has invested over US $310 million from 2009 to date.  Tigo Rwanda provides 4G LTE on mobile for both prepaid and post-paid customers.  Tigo Rwanda was awarded as the ‘Most Innovative Service’ at Africa Com 2014, for international mobile money transfers with integrated currency conversion between Tigo Rwanda and Tigo Tanzania as well as awarded for “Best ICT Exhibitor” at the Kigali Expo 2015.

About Reach for Change Africa

Reach for Change Africa is a non-profit organization that invests in innovative, early-stage social entrepreneurs who are addressing problems faced by children, youth and women in seven countries across the continent; Ghana, Senegal, Chad, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. Reach for Change runs innovation competitions and provides Accelerator and Incubator programs to exceptional social entrepreneurs who are supported to scale their innovations through funding, access to technical and organizational management expertise, and networking opportunities. Reach for Change Africa is a part of the global organization Reach for Change which operates in 17 countries worldwide.