Rwanda’s voluntary pension scheme and young self-employed people experience: a case of Gasabo district, Rwanda

Ejo Heza (Brighter Future) is meant to assist the informal sector workforce in Rwanda in benefiting from universal social security. However, access to this scheme presents challenges and opportunities for young self-employed individuals. To gain insight into these issues and ensure appropriate recommendations, the recent study engaged with the theme of exploring young self-employed people’s experience on subscribing with the Ejo Heza voluntary pension scheme, especially in Gasabo district. The study focuses on two sub-questions to understand the motivation behind subscribing to the Ejo Heza voluntary pension scheme in Rwanda, namely (1) How Ejo Heza Voluntary pension scheme is perceived by young self-employed people? and (2) The limitations or barriers they face in while subscribing to it. Youth were chosen for this study because they represent the majority of Rwanda's population and are central to driving the nation's development, including achieving Rwanda's 2035 goal of becoming an upper middle-income country. Finding from the study reveal that young self-employed with suitable information on the scheme are more likely to enroll, as they recognize the role of pension in their lives and understand the benefits and financial security Ejo Heza can provide. However, challenges persist such as, unstable income, limited awareness and technical obstacles to enrollment. Moreover, integration of young self-employed individuals through Ejo Heza offers significant benefits impact integrating into traditional economic structures providing them with access to social welfare. By joining, they gain a sense of financial security and connection to the broader economy, strengthening ties to the national income. However some young self-employed individuals struggle to grasp the importance of social security, while others face practical challenges in enrolling and maintaining regular contribution. The study suggests that Ejo Heza has the strong potential to enhance the financial stability of Rwanda’s young self-employed population. For the scheme to succeed , however, it must address barriers like fluctuating income, limited awareness, and concerns over pre-retirement obligations.