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MTN Rwanda Unveils Callertunez Awards 2026 With Rwf24 Million Prize Pool
Uwajeneza Donatha
May 18, 2026 - 18:04
MTN Rwanda has launched the Callertunez Awards 2026, a new competition aimed at promoting Rwanda’s creative industry through music, comedy and poetry, with winners set to share over Rwf24 million in prizes. The initiative, unveiled on Monday, seeks to empower local artists by expanding their visibility, audience reach and digital earnings through MTN Caller Tunes services.
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The awards come as digital self-expression continues to grow in Rwanda, where music, inspirational messages, comedy and poetry are increasingly becoming part of everyday communication and entertainment.
According to MTN Rwanda, the competition is designed to recognize the creators behind the sounds and messages millions of Rwandans engage with daily through Caller Tunes, turning ordinary phone calls into personalized cultural experiences.
Speaking at the launch, Somdev Sen said the initiative is not only about rewarding talent but also about celebrating the power of creativity in connecting people.
“The Callertunez Awards 2026 are not only about rewarding talent, but also about celebrating the role creativity plays in bringing people together. Through music, comedy, praise and poetry, Rwandans are telling their stories, expressing themselves and building connections every single day. As MTN Rwanda, we believe that Nicyo Gihe for local talent to shine even brighter through digital platforms,” he said.
The competition will feature artists registered on the MTN Caller Tunes platform competing in three categories: Music, Comedy, and Praise & Poetry.
In the music category, the winner will walk away with Rwf12 million, while the first and second runners-up will receive Rwf5 million and Rwf3 million respectively. Winners in both the Comedy and Praise & Poetry categories will each receive Rwf2 million.
Winners will be selected through a combination of public voting and subscription performance on the Caller Tunes platform.
MTN customers will be able to support their favorite artists by voting through 1932026*ArtistCode# and subscribing via *193#.
The campaign will run alongside the 2026 MTN Iwacu Muzika Festival and will climax with a grand finale during the festival’s final concert in Rubavu on August 1, 2026.
MTN Rwanda said the initiative reflects its continued commitment to supporting local creativity, digital innovation and stronger connections between artists and their audiences.
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