As Rwanda sets the momentum towards implementing the National Strategy for Transformation II, there is a need to nurture and grow a bunch of professionals with up-to-date skills, who can drive the development agenda, particularly in the field of engineering, which pretty much touches every aspect of life.

It is for that reason that the Institute of Engineers Rwanda (IER), the country's leading professional body for engineers, is urging members of the fraternity to come together and find ways of sustaining a project that was implemented in partnership with the UK Royal Academy of Engineering through Africa Catalyst Project (ACP).

During a review session hosted by IER on January 23 to assess the impact and future of the Africa Catalyst Project (ACP), which was attended by engineers in different fields from across the country, members discussed ways of how the gains of the project, which has helped to hone the skills of 400 young engineers and directly engaged over 700 women engineers, can be sustained.

The ACP, an initiative by the Royal Academy of Engineering, seeks to strengthen professional engineering bodies across sub-Saharan Africa, by improving the skills and capacities of engineers through focused capacity-building programmes.

Since 2017, the project has provided young engineers in Rwanda with critical practical skills, bridging the gap between academic learning and industry demands. It also sought to equip engineers with soft skills and modern-day engineering knowledge, in the wake of global technological advancement.

However, as the project nears its conclusion in April 2025, the engineering body is mobilising members to find ways of ensuring continuity, building on the success registered and ensure that the gains made over the past five years are consolidated, once the funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering expires.

Policymakers, industry leaders, and engineering professionals came together to explore how to maintain the project’s achievements beyond external funding, and at the same time shared ideas on what needs to be done to change how engineers in Rwanda do things, to align with the country’s vision and ambitions.

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In his remarks, Steven Sabiti, CEO of IER, highlighted the importance of embracing new ideas and concepts, emphasising the need to change how engineers do their work, cutting out conservative approaches which no longer apply in today’s fast paced world.

"It is crucial that we change our approach by embracing new ideas and integrating fresh concepts into what we do. Rwanda’s most valuable resource is its people, and we must ensure they are equipped with the right skills and mindset to contribute meaningfully to and sustain the country’s socioeconomic transformation,” he said.

Cecile Uwimana, project manager for the Africa Catalyst Project in Rwanda and one of the pioneers of the project, emphasised the crucial role that IER plays in bridging the gap between universities and the professional world, particularly in facilitating connections for young engineers with potential employers.

"The support provided by the ACP has been invaluable, empowering young engineers to gain practical experience and connect with key industry players, ultimately shaping a stronger future for the engineering sector in the region,” she said.

She also expressed her gratitude to the ACP for its substantial contribution to elevating engineering standards, not only in Rwanda but across sub-Saharan Africa.

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Joseph Byukusenge, a member of the IER Governing Council, who represented the president of the council, underlined that the achievements registered through the project over the past five years are the main reason why the initiative should be sustained to continue bridging the skills gap in the engineering field, urging each of the stakeholders to play a role in sustaining the gains.

"With what we have achieved, we need to see different ways of how we can continue with this programme to support and build the capacity of engineering professionals in Rwanda. With the technological advancement and emerging challenges in the world today, keeping our engineering skills updated is paramount,” he noted.

Naila Umubyeyi, Chair of the Women’s Engineering Chapter at IER, discussed the progress of the Africa Catalyst Project (ACP), noting its increasing impact in training young engineers and connecting them with industry opportunities.

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She highlighted the importance of ensuring the sustainability of these projects by seeking local funding and partnerships.

"The plan is to continue these projects locally, with funding from local organisations, and to encourage companies to take in interns, even without financial compensation, because these young engineers contribute and learn at the same time,” she added.

Alain Gatabazi, one of the beneficiaries of the ACP, shared his journey, highlighting the significant impact the programme has had on his career and in contributing to the country’s development.

"Since completing the programme, I&039;ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects in Rwanda, ranging from commercial buildings to residential developments, as well as specialised infrastructures such as ports and hospitals,” he said.

During the session, representatives of key institutions that in one way or another are affiliated with the engineering profession, including the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, Higher Education Council (HEC), the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) shared insights on what needs to be done to strengthen the profession, as the fraternity looks to embark on the next phase of the skilling initiatives.

There was a general consensus that as Rwanda sets forth on its development ambitions, engineers have a crucial role to play because development is all about building things but for that to happen, those involved need to have the right skills and abilities to drive the much-desired change.

During an interactive session, it was observed that majority of the graduates from universities lack the fundamental skills and know-how to be competitive on the market yet through such programmes, as the one coming to an end, they can obtain additional skills that can help them thrive in the market, including in other parts of the world, not just Rwanda.

The IER, among other things, has a mandate to support engineers to upgrade their skills, through internships, mentorship, extra courses and updating the knowledge of engineers through partnerships

Among other actionable strategies, it was agreed that gender mainstreaming and women empowerment, specifically in the field of engineering, be given priority, considering that the number of women engineers is still low, with the profession, to a larger extent, remaining male dominated. This slow uptake is a challenge that must be addressed to foster greater gender equity and inclusion in the sector.