Youth Employment and Social Stability in Rwanda: The Role of Agakiriro Centres as a Transition Infrastructure

Abstract This article examines the role of Agakiriro centres in shaping local economic development in Rwanda, with a particular focus on the labour market integration of young people trained through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Drawing on a qualitative approach based on field observations and policy analysis, it explores the extent to which these centres help bridge the gap between training and employment. The findings suggest that Agakiriro centres operate as hybrid infrastructures that combine production, learning, cooperative organization, and economic socialization. By providing access to equipment, shared workspaces, and collective forms of organization, they enable young people to engage in productive activities while fostering dynamics of saving, investment, and collaboration. The analysis highlights significant internal variations within the model. While some centres, such as Gisozi, exhibit advanced forms of productive structuring and collective accumulation, rural centres play a critical role in transforming local economies and improving access to essential goods. However, their impact remains constrained by structural challenges, particularly in relation to governance, access to finance, and risk management. The article argues that Agakiriro centres can be understood as transition infrastructures linking training to economic activity, contributing to broader development objectives such as youth employment, poverty reduction, and territorial transformation. It also underscores their potential as an adaptable model for other contexts facing similar socio-economic challenges.