This Friday, 14 November 2025, Rwanda celebrated Hanga Pitch Fest 2025, a national showcase of homegrown innovation and entrepreneurial excellence. This year’s edition, held under the theme “Inspiring and Igniting Innovation,” brought together young innovators, development partners, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and the broader public to witness the transformative power of Rwanda’s innovation ecosystem.

At the heart of the event were the top 5 final pitches, selected after six intensive weeks of bootcamps, field visits, expert coaching, and rigorous elimination rounds. The five teams: Re-Banatex, NEEM, Ambucycle, Ingoga Technologies, and Nabsil stood out among hundreds of applicants for their ingenuity, market-readiness, and potential to solve challenges facing Rwanda and the continent.

Re-Banatex captivated the jury with its sustainable textile innovation, transforming banana stem waste into high-quality fabric. By blending banana fiber with cotton, the startup offers soft, durable, eco-friendly textiles that contribute to greener manufacturing and reduced agricultural waste. NEEM presented a breakthrough in digital health, introducing a smart insole that monitors pressure in real time to prevent diabetic foot ulcers and reduce the risk of amputation an innovation poised to transform diabetic care.

Ambucycle showcased a lifesaving emergency response model, using a tech-enabled system to cut response times and connect patients with urgent care more efficiently. Their solution addresses real challenges in Rwanda’s emergency medical ecosystem. Ingoga Technologies impressed with its Ubuzima Digital System, designed to streamline diagnostics and medical workflows across health facilities, making care delivery faster, smarter, and more accurate. Nabsil tackled persistent challenges in the agriculture sector by offering a combined grain management and inventory financing solution with zero hidden fees, supporting farmers, cooperatives, and food systems nationwide.

Alongside the pitch finale, the event featured a high-level panel chaired by Innocent Asiimwe Mudenge, RISA’s Chief Operations and Strategy Officer. The discussion explored the journey and impact of the Hanga Hubs, highlighting how digital innovation spaces across the country are empowering youth through mentorship, access to tools, and tailored support. On the panel were H.E. Ambassador Belen Uyarra Calvo, European Union Ambassador to Rwanda; Marirungu Vanessa Rabie, a beneficiary of the Talent Development Program at Nyagatare Hanga Hub; and Munezero Christian, Founder of CK Industries and beneficiary of the Startup Incubation Program at Rusizi Hanga Hub.

The panelists underscored how Hanga Hubs have become catalysts for nurturing Rwanda’s next generation of innovators. Beneficiaries shared how hands-on mentorship, exposure to real-world challenges, and access to digital fabrication tools transformed their ideas into scalable solutions. H.E. Ambassador Belen Uyarra Calvo emphasized the collaborative spirit driving Rwanda’s innovation growth, noting that “The EU is proud that together we are building a brand, one of Rwandan innovation and locally grounded problem-solving. The Hanga Hubs are symbols of possibility, creativity, and the belief that young people can lead Rwanda’s economic transformation.”

The evening concluded with the announcement of Re-Banatex as the overall winner, celebrated for its vision of merging environmental sustainability with industrial innovation. Their groundbreaking work exemplifies Rwanda’s commitment to fostering homegrown solutions that are both impactful and scalable.

Hanga Pitch Fest 2025 once again demonstrated the strength of Rwanda’s innovation ecosystem, an ecosystem driven by collaboration, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to transforming ideas into solutions that shape a better, more inclusive future. The event not only showcased the nation’s brightest entrepreneurial talent but also reaffirmed Rwanda’s belief that when youth are equipped with the right tools, mentorship, and opportunities, they can ignite innovation that resonates far beyond the country’s borders.