Under 35 and Building Tomorrow: Why Young Innovators Deserve the Spotlight

The average age in the DRC is just 17. The country has one of the youngest populations on earth. Yet most of the headlines about Congolese youth focus on unemployment or instability. The NextGen Entrepreneur of the Year category at the DRC Elite Awards flips that script, celebrating young people under 35 who are using technology, creativity and resilience to disrupt traditional industries and solve local challenges.

Why is this category vital? Because the DRC’s demographic dividend will only materialise if young entrepreneurs are given recognition and a platform. The government has announced plans to invest USD 1.5 billion in digital transformation, opening doors in fintech, agri‑tech and energy access. At the same time, the country’s mining and agriculture sectors are crying out for modernisation. This is the perfect storm for a generation of builders.

The NextGen Entrepreneur award recognises a founder or business owner under 35 who has launched a venture that is scaling, creating jobs, and addressing a clear market gap. Recent examples from the DRC’s ecosystem include a young woman who built a mobile platform connecting artisanal cobalt miners to ethical buyers, increasing their income by 40 percent. Another finalist could be a male engineer who developed a pay‑as‑you‑go solar home system for rural households, now serving 10,000 families. In agriculture, the award might go to the creator of a cold‑storage logistics network that reduces post‑harvest losses for mango and tomato farmers.

Nominating a young entrepreneur is not just about giving them a trophy. It unlocks doors: access to the DRC Investment Forum’s network of investors, mentors and corporate partners. Past winners have gone on to raise follow‑on funding and sign supply contracts with major miners. The award also sends a powerful message to other young people: you do not need to leave the DRC to build a successful career. You can innovate right here.

The judging criteria are rigorous: revenue growth, job creation (especially for other youth), environmental or social impact, and scalability. This is not a popularity contest. It is a serious recognition of business acumen under difficult conditions.

Winners will be announced during the Gala Dinner on 28 August 2026 at the DRC Investment Forum. Nominations close 30 May 2026. For more information or to nominate a young entrepreneur, click here: https://www.drcinvestforum.com/awards