Traditional education often falls short in preparing students for the realities of the job market, innovative solutions are needed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
One such solution is BAG, a groundbreaking digital platform that applies gamification to offer real-time access to experience-based learning for university students in Rwanda. We had the privilege of speaking with Yussouf Ntwali, the Co-Founder and CEO of BAG, who shared valuable insights into the inspiration behind BAG, the challenges they faced, and their vision for the future.
The idea for BAG Innovation was born out of a shared vision between Yussouf Ntwali and Gabriel Ekman, driven by the high unemployment rate among youth in Rwanda.
Yussouf highlights the crucial mismatch between the theoretical education received at universities and the practical skills required in the workforce. This realization inspired them to create a platform that could bridge this gap through gamification and experience-based learning.
Every startup faces challenges that put its strength to the test. For BAG, one major challenge was finding a way to monetize their social impact model. Yussouf, the CEO of BAG, shares how they overcome this obstacle by linking student training with job opportunities. This innovative approach not only addressed the issue of unemployment but also ensured the sustainability of their platform.
Dear young entrepreneurs, How can we create a business model that aligns social impact with financial sustainability?
Cultural challenges also presented hurdles for BAG. Changing societal attitudes towards youth unemployment required a proactive approach. Yussouf recounts their efforts to empower the youth through workshops, discussions, and internship opportunities.
How can you drive cultural change and inspire a shift in mindsets through your entrepreneurial endeavors?
The journey of building BAG taught Yussouf invaluable lessons. He emphasizes the power of resilience, flexibility, and deep market understanding. As young entrepreneurs, it’s vital to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and adaptation.
Ask yourself this, How can someone cultivate resilience and a deep understanding of the market to navigate the unpredictable field of entrepreneurship?
Another particular challenge faced during BAG’s early stages was connecting businesses and students in a meaningful way. Yussouf recalls their solution of introducing real-life business challenges for students to tackle. By proposing innovative solutions to these challenges, students gained hands-on experience while providing value to the businesses involved.
The journey of building BAG taught Yussouf invaluable lessons. He emphasizes the power of resilience, flexibility, and deep market understanding. As young entrepreneurs, it’s vital to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and adaptation.
The future holds great promise for BAG as they envision expanding their impact across East Africa. By offering a white-label platform to universities, they aim to digitize career development centers, integrate real-life case studies, and elevate post-graduation employment rates. This inspires us to think: How can you leverage technology and partnerships to scale your impact and create lasting change.
Yussouf Ntwali’s insights offer invaluable lessons for aspiring young entrepreneurs who aspire to make a difference. By embracing challenges, understanding the market deeply, and creating innovative solutions, you too can navigate the hurdles on your path to entrepreneurial success.
