Data communications and telecoms equipment firm Motorola Solutions has partnered with Rwanda's government to launch a mobile application challenge in the country.

Rwanda’s ministry of Youth and ICT (MYICT), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with Motorola Solutions has launched the competition to address issues of human development in the East African nation.

The challenge is further expected to be implemented by MYICT's YouthConnekt initiative, which serves to connect young Rwandans and increase their participation in the country’s socio-economic transformation.

Areas in human development to be addressed by applicants include education, governance, health, agriculture and gender.

The challenge also aims to promote job creation and youth empowerment using mobile technologies.

Speaking about the challenge, Rwanda’s minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana said in a statement, “We are going to have a challenge to really test your abilities to be able to transform the skills that you have in terms of mobile programming but also our understanding of the development and how we can merge the two, and be able to solve the real life challenges."

Cash prizes range from $1,000 to $6,000. In addition to the cash prize, the first prize winner is set to receive business training and mentoring by successful entrepreneurs throughout the initial phase of their start-up.

All applications should be made via the online application. Deadline for proposals is the 25th of February, 2014.