Originally from Kigali, Rwanda, Alestide Kabogo serves as Country Director for AfriYAN Rwanda, where he works to ensure that young people and adolescents are meaningfully included in shaping programs and policies that affect their lives. By engaging directly with youth, listening to their lived experiences, and advocating for their representation in national decision-making, he helps bridge the gap between communities and systems to create more responsive, inclusive policies and opportunities.

Alestide’s career reflects a deep commitment to innovation and youth empowerment. As Ecosystem Lead for Rwanda at Shasha Network, he spearheaded efforts to connect secondary schools to the internet and digital learning platforms, while forging partnerships with organizations such as the Mastercard Foundation to expand access and opportunities for young people. He is also the creator of Urungano Collection of Card Games, an educational tool designed to support inclusive and engaging approaches to sexual and reproductive health education for adolescents.

At AfriYAN Rwanda, Alestide is especially proud of advancing the Generation Gender Rwanda partnership program, which works toward gender-just and violence-free societies by ensuring young people’s voices shape global and national agendas. A key innovation under this program is the Community Youth Forum, which creates safe spaces for youth to collectively identify challenges and solutions. The forum strengthens leadership, promotes gender equality, and fosters financial inclusion by supporting youth saving groups and income-generating activities.

Driven by the belief that young people are experts in their own lives, Alestide is committed to ensuring equitable access to health and economic opportunities, with youth at the center of shaping solutions. His leadership is guided by the words of Audre Lorde: “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”