Education in Crisis and Conflict
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Akazi Kanoze Youth in Rural Rwanda
Final Evaluation Report
Established in 2009, Akazi Kanoze (AK) meaning "work well done" in Kinyarwanda, provides Rwandan youth ages 14-35 with market-relevant life and work readiness training and support, hands-on training opportunities, and links to the employment and self-employment job market. The final evaluation of Akazi Kanoze was designed to measure whether as a result of the project youth show a measurable change in employability and employment outcomes. Conducted in the project's fifth year, there are two components of the final evaluation:
- A randomized controlled trial (RCT)
- Qualitative case studies and focus group discussions (FGDs)
Overall, the final evaluation demonstrates two major findings on Akazi Kanoze's impact:
- Akazi Kanoze youth in rural areas (the treatment group) are more likely to be employed after graduation than a young person who does not participate in the program;
- Akazi Kanoze youth in rural areas achieved significant gains in work readiness skills development and financial management.