The aviation sector continued to move towards becoming more homegrown, as eighteen young pilots graduated on Thursday, December 18 in Kigali.

This is the sixth cohort from Akagera Aviation Flying School (AAFS). It included two women and 16 men who will be joining the industry as the nation moves to reduce dependency on foreign flight crews.

Since 2004, Akagera Aviation has evolved from a helicopter charter service into a training school, now having produced over 160 pilots, adding over 200 drone pilots.

The new graduates have completed intensive programs of two years including Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPL) and Multi-Engine Ratings, positioning them to join the national carrier, RwandAir, or international airlines in future.

The graduation also comes as the sector gears up for the 2028 opening of the new airport in Bugesera, as well as infrastructure expansion where the centre of excellence in aviation training will be completed in two years, to include other disciplines like flight dispatcher, air traffic controllers, and many other disciplines.

"The push for local talent is part of a broader national strategy to turn Rwanda into a regional aviation hub. With current investments in the Busanza training facility set to triple training capacity, the government is betting on human capital to sustain its aviation ambitions," said the Minister of State for Infrastructure, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye.

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Dreams take flight

For the graduates, the ceremony was the realisation of years of high-pressure training.

Dominique Niyonkuru, 27, who was named the best performing student, saw his childhood ambitions finally materialise.

"This journey began as a dream,” Niyonkuru said, "After finishing secondary school, I saw the opportunities the government had created for us and decided to pursue this path. Today, having completed my commercial pilot license, I am ready to apply the skills I’ve gained to serve my country," he noted.

Niyonkuru added that he feels a responsibility to those who will follow in his foot steps.

"I should become a role model for the younger generation. I see myself as an ambassador or a representative of Rwanda wherever I reach."

Alice Muhoracye, one of the two female graduates, highlighted the internal hurdles of entering a male-dominated field.

She noted that there are currently only seven women in Rwanda’s aviation sector, including the new graduates.

"It is a challenge being among the few women in this field, and we still have a long way to go,” she said.

"I always dreamed of being a pilot, but I never truly thought it would happen. Thanks to the support available in our country, my dream has become a reality," she added.

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Bertin Semigabo, who transitioned from studying civil engineering to aviation in 2023, emphasized the discipline it requires to reach the finish line.

"The most important thing I can say is that you have to study with absolute dedication,” he said.

"Opportunities like this are rare and highly competitive; you cannot secure a spot without a strong academic record, as selection is based largely on grades. Beyond academics, discipline and how you conduct yourself within the community are vital," he added.

Addressing the future of training, minister Uwihanganye said:

"This school will have triple the training capacity of the current Akagera Aviation facility. The infrastructure is being built and the equipment is ready.”

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Joseph Ndayishimije, Interim Managing Director of AAFS, noted that the school’s mission is now taking shape.

"The upcoming center of excellence in aviation skills represents a major leap forward, one that will scale our impact, deepen specialisation, and position Rwanda as a regional reference point for aviation skills development.”

Investing in human capital

Jule Ndenga, CEO of the Aviation Travel and Logistics (ATL) Group, said that training is the heart of the country’s aviation growth.

"Training for us in aviation is not only an add-on. It is centred in the vision and the ambition of the country to grow our aviation sector and contribute significantly to our economic development,” Ndenga said.