Every morning in Kigali, the city wakes up with the sound of ambition. Motorbikes zoom through the hills, buses pick up students heading to universities, and young entrepreneurs set up in coffee shops with laptops glowing, planning the next big idea.
Rwanda’s youth between 18 and 35 carry dreams as tall as Mount Kigali finishing degrees, launching startups, buying homes, or creating solutions that will put their name on the map. But hidden behind this energy is a quiet thief of progress: procrastination.
The trap of “ejo”
Procrastination is not just about being lazy, it’s the art of convincing yourself that tomorrow (ejo) is the best time to do what should be done today. It’s when a student at the University of Rwanda tells herself, “I’ll revise after lunch,” but ends up watching TikTok reels until midnight. It’s when a young man in Nyabugogo keeps promising himself, “I’ll register my business this week,” but weeks roll by and the Rwanda Development Board office still hasn’t seen him.
It feels innocent at first. You postpone one assignment, one phone call, or one job application. But soon it becomes a cycle, and the cost is heavier than you expect.
The real consequences of delay
The price of procrastination is high, especially for young Rwandans in a country where time really equals opportunity.
Deadlines are everywhere, scholarship applications, government tenders, and grant submissions. Imagine a 25-year-old with a strong business idea for an agri-tech project in Musanze, but she submits her proposal late. The funding goes to someone else. That delay doesn’t just cost her money; it costs her a dream.
There’s also the stress factor. Anyone who has stayed up the night before exams with piles of unread notes knows the heavy panic that comes with last-minute cramming. Your mind is restless, your body exhausted, and you promise yourself you’ll never repeat it—only to fall into the same trap next semester.
And then comes reputation. In workplaces across Kigali, bosses and colleagues know who delivers on time and who always asks for “just one more day.” Being labeled unreliable can block promotions, kill trust, and close doors. In Rwanda’s competitive job market, where thousands of young graduates fight for limited opportunities, reputation is everything.
Finally, procrastination eats away at your biggest resource: time. As the proverb says, igihe ni amafaranga (time is money). Every day spent delaying is a day you’ll never get back. Rwanda is moving fast toward Vision 2050, and those who waste time risk being left behind.
Why do young people procrastinate?
It’s easy to blame social media or laziness, but procrastination often runs deeper. Some young people delay because they fear failure “What if I try and don’t succeed?” Others fear success, “What if I start and expectations become too high?”
There’s also perfectionism. A student wants her essay to be flawless, so she doesn’t even begin. An entrepreneur wants his app to be perfect, so he keeps postponing the launch. In reality, perfection never comes; progress does.
Distractions also play a huge role. Smartphones buzz with WhatsApp messages, Instagram stories, and YouTube recommendations. Hours disappear into scrolling, leaving little energy for the tasks that truly matter.
Turning procrastination into achievement
Breaking the cycle of procrastination doesn’t happen overnight. But with discipline and simple habits, anyone can turn into an achiever.
Start by planning with purpose. Write down your tasks every morning and keep them visible. A notebook, sticky notes, or a phone calendar can be powerful reminders. When you see your goals, they stop being vague ideas and become real commitments.
Then, break big goals into smaller steps. Instead of saying, “I’ll build a business,” start with, “Today I’ll research three suppliers.” Instead of saying, “I’ll finish my thesis,” focus on “I’ll write two paragraphs before lunch.” Small victories create momentum, and momentum builds achievement.
Next, cut distractions. If you’re studying for exams at Mount Kigali University, switch your phone to silent or leave it in another room. Social media will still be there after you’ve finished your tasks. Likes and comments can wait, your future cannot.
Learn to set personal deadlines. Don’t wait for your teacher, boss, or grant officer to pressure you. Decide that you’ll deliver earlier than expected. Imagine the trust you build when people know you’re dependable.
Finally, reward yourself. Finished revising on time? Treat yourself to brochettes, a football game with friends, or a quiet walk in Nyandungu Eco-Park. Positive reinforcement makes discipline feel enjoyable, not like punishment.
The achiever’s mindset
Becoming an achiever doesn’t mean you’ll never struggle again. It means you’ll train yourself to act despite the struggle. Achievers don’t wait for the “perfect time” because they know the perfect time is now.
Rwanda itself is a living example of discipline and planning. From the Smart Rwanda Master Plan to Vision 2050, every major achievement has come from setting clear goals and acting consistently. The upcoming UCI Road World Championships in 2025 didn’t happen overnight—they came from years of planning, preparation, and meeting deadlines.
For the youth of Rwanda, the message is simple: you have the energy, creativity, and ambition. Don’t let procrastination rob you of your future. Every hour you waste is an opportunity lost, but every step you take today builds the achiever you want to become tomorrow.
So next time you find yourself saying, “Ndabikora ejo” (I’ll do it tomorrow) stop. Remember that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Success belongs to those who start today, not those who promise themselves “later.”
