The government is set to establish 30 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centers of Excellence across the country, with each district hosting one. These centers will serve as hubs for best practices, research, support, and training in various focus areas.

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The first eight centers were established in August 2024. The entire project is expected to be completed by 2029, costing approximately Rwf178 billion. According to the proposed 2025/2026 budget, the project has been allocated Rwf3.7 billion.

In an interview with The New Times, Paul Umukunzi, the Director General of Rwanda TVET Board, shed more light on what these centers represent and how they will impact Rwanda’s educational and industrial landscape.

Here are the four major elements:

1. How TVET centers of excellence differ from existing schools

Umukunzi highlighted that the TVET Centers of Excellence will set a new benchmark for quality standards, aligning with the latest global technological trends.

Unlike existing TVET institutions, the new facilities will be equipped with modern technology, and trainers will be highly qualified industrial experts. Graduates from these centers are expected to meet international standards in various skill areas.

These centers will prioritize cutting-edge technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), 3D printing, drone technology, robotic control, the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart farming, ensuring that students are equipped for modern, technology-driven industries.

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2. Alignment with Rwanda’s broader TVET vision

The establishment of the new facilities aligns with Rwanda’s broader vision for technical, vocational education, and training: to produce a highly qualified workforce that meets labor market demands.

Umukunzi emphasized that the CoEs aim to drive the country’s industrialization by fostering innovation, local solutions, and Made-in-Rwanda products that are competitive on a global scale.

3. Eligibility, programmes, and planned locations

Best-performing students from O-Level national exams will be eligible to join these centers. In addition, the CoEs will offer tailor-made, short-term skills upgrading programmes open to anyone looking to enhance their expertise, whether part of the workforce or recent graduates.

These centers will also serve as testing grounds for skilled individuals seeking internationally recognized certifications.

"The target is to have at least one TVET Center of Excellence in every district before the end of NST2. We are currently establishing the first 15 CoEs in 15 districts," Umukunzi said.

NST2 is Rwanda's second national strategy for transformation, a five-year plan (2024-2029) focused on improving the lives of Rwandans and achieving sustainable economic growth. The strategy aims to boost agricultural productivity, increase irrigated land, and target significant export revenues, and also includes goals related to education, healthcare, and job creation, with a focus on industrialization and sustainable development.

4. Expected outcomes: job creation, skill enhancement, and industry readiness

According to Umukunzi the establishment of the CoEs is expected to generate employment opportunities and reduce reliance on imported skilled labor. Graduates will be equipped to start their businesses, contributing to local job creation. The centers also plan to collaborate with industry players on research projects, further building the capacity of the existing workforce.

He added that having a pool of highly skilled graduates is likely to attract more investors, driving economic growth and expanding job prospects for Rwandan youth.

The TVET centers of excellence represent Rwanda’s technical and vocational training landscape, promising to shape the next generation of skilled professionals ready for global markets.