Rwanda Aspires to Become the Hub of Education in Africa by 2035
Rwanda aims to establish itself as the education hub of Africa by 2035, where Africans seeking university education will consider it a top choice. This vision was articulated by the Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, during discussions with members of the Parliamentary Commission on Education, Technology, Culture, Sports, and Youth in the Rwandan Parliament.
The discussions centered on the assessment of the implementation of the 2003 Education Policy, the 2017-2024 Education Sector Strategic Plan, and various related projects.
Minister Nsengimana highlighted significant progress made under the 2003 Education Policy, which focuses on inclusive and high-quality education for all. He noted that Rwanda currently has 35 universities, including three public institutions, with a growing student population of around 120,000. Efforts are underway to further increase this number.
“We have 35 universities, three of which are public. Currently, these institutions enroll about 120,000 students. However, we are working on strategies to raise this number and position Rwanda as a model destination for higher education,” he said.
The minister emphasized Rwanda’s ambition to become a center of excellence in higher education in Africa, drawing students from across the continent. Plans are in progress to achieve this by 2035, including increasing the number of international students studying in Rwandan universities and simultaneously boosting the enrollment of Rwandan students.
“We aim to advance Rwanda’s education system and universities. We are exploring ways to strengthen education delivery so that graduates are well-equipped with skills relevant to global trends,” Nsengimana added.
He also highlighted the need to improve teaching methods in universities, particularly in research at the University of Rwanda. Currently, over 10,000 international students are enrolled in Rwandan universities, a significant increase from 1,397 in the 2017/2018 academic year. This achievement, despite not being a set target, demonstrates Rwanda’s potential to meet ambitious goals in this area.
The 2024 Times Higher Education report ranked the University of Rwanda and the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) among the top 10 universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The report, which evaluated 129 universities from 22 countries, assessed their contributions to the development of their respective nations. UGHE ranked fourth, up from eighth, while the University of Rwanda placed eighth.
The growth in higher education institutions in Rwanda is evident, with over 20 new institutions established in the past seven years, many of which operate internationally and admit foreign students. For instance, of the over 8,000 graduates from the University of Rwanda in October 2024, 126 were international students.
In conclusion, education officials presented a comprehensive picture of Rwanda’s education landscape to the Parliamentary Commission, reaffirming the country’s commitment to making higher education a driver of regional and continental development.
