This competition, now in its second edition, is organized by the University of Rwanda in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. It aims to empower young innovators by helping them turn creative ideas into practical projects that can contribute to national development.
The HATANA Innovation Bootcamp was launched in 2025. Participants must be undergraduate students from the University of Rwanda. Each team is required to have between three and five members, with at least one member being a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Rwanda.
Teams are not required to have registered companies with the Rwanda Development Board, although those with registered businesses are also allowed to apply. According to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program guidelines, at least 70% of each team must be female.
During the bootcamp, the first week is dedicated to training participants on the fundamentals of innovation and project development. Teams that advance to the final stage are given the opportunity to compete for grants of up to $5,000 to develop prototypes of their projects.
The 2026 edition of the HATANA Innovation Bootcamp attracted strong participation, with 740 teams applying. Out of these, 150 teams were selected in the first round, followed by 75 teams that advanced to the final stage. Ultimately, 52 teams were awarded.
Among these winning teams is Kivu Crunch [They have a project called Kivu Crunch], composed of five female students from the University of Rwanda: Ufitimana Alicia (Medicine, UR Huye), Ndayishimiye Adelphine (Medicine, UR Huye), Mukiza Anne (Psychology, UR Huye), Umuhoza Clémence (Aquaculture, UR Nyagatare), and Niyonshuti Marie Chance (Midwifery, UR Rwamagana).
All five members come from Rubavu District in the Western Province, near Lake Kivu. Their project idea is inspired by sambaza (small fish), which are widely consumed and highly nutritious. This is why they named their project “Kivu Crunch,” after Lake Kivu.
Their project focuses on processing sambaza using innovative technology. They explained: “We will source sambaza and dry them using our ‘Made in Rwanda’ machine. Our product will be rich in nutrients and easy to consume because we will enrich it with moringa powder, which is high in vitamins A and C.”
They further highlighted that their innovation uses a hybrid system powered by both solar energy and electricity. “The uniqueness of our machine is that it will use both solar power and conventional electricity, which reduces costs and makes it accessible even in areas with limited power supply.”
The team members said they were surprised by their victory due to the high level of competition. “We are very happy and honestly surprised, because all the projects were of high quality. As the competition progressed, we felt our chances getting smaller, but we worked hard and focused on bringing innovation to our project.”
They expressed deep gratitude to God and to everyone who supported them: “First and foremost, we thank God for making this possible. We also sincerely thank the University of Rwanda and the Mastercard Foundation for giving opportunities to young people, listening to their ideas, and supporting them. We are also grateful to our parents for their encouragement and prayers.”
In an interview with InyaRwanda, Alicia Ufitimana encouraged fellow youth, especially students, to be confident and proactive. She said: “Our message to other young people is to be bold and make the most of the opportunities our country provides. Where there is a will, there is a way — if others have done it, why not you?”
Ufitimana Alicia, a Medicine and Surgery student at UR Huye, is widely known in the Gospel music scene as part of the duo Alicia and Germaine, alongside her younger sister Germaine Ufitimana. The duo is known for popular songs such as “Rugaba,” “Urufatiro,” “Uriyo,” “Ndahiriwe,” and “Ibendera,” which blends Gospel with amapiano.
After just a year and a half in the music industry, Alicia and Germaine recently won the “Best Star New Gospel Artist in Africa” award at the Shining Star Africa Awards 2026, held in Kigali on March 7, 2026. They dedicated the award to all Gospel artists.
Currently, they are also nominated in the “Top African Gospel Group/Duo” category at the Africa Golden Awards, where they are competing with top Gospel groups from across the continent. Winners in each category will receive $5,000, while the overall winner will take home $50,000 (over 72 million Frw).
Their growing popularity has also earned them a spot to perform at the “Easter Jubilee” concert by Ben and Chance, scheduled for April 5, 2026, at BK Arena. Major artists such as The Ben, Aime Uwimana, Clapton, DJ Brianne, and Aline Gahongayire are also expected to be part of this highly anticipated event.
Five young women united under the Kivu Crunch project are among the winners of a $5,000 grant in a University of Rwanda competition
“The uniqueness of our machine is that it will be powered by solar energy,” Alicia and her teammates said about their project “Kivu Crunch,” which earned them victory
Alicia Ufitimana was the representative of the team behind the Kivu Crunch project, which is among the 52 groups awarded a prize of 7 million Rwandan Francs.
The uniqueness of the machine developed by the Kivu Crunch project team is that it will operate using both solar energy and conventional electricity
Alicia Ufitimana is one of the members of Alicia and Germaine, a highly popular and fast-rising Gospel music duo
Alicia and Germaine are expected to perform at a major concert where they have been invited by Ben and Chance, set to take place at BK Arena.
WATCH "IBENDERA" BY ALICIA AND GERMAINE