The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved $29.85 million (approximatelyRwf43.54 billion) in new financing for Rwanda’s Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and e-Health Project Phase II, a $33.64 million initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s health system and equipping young people with future-ready skills.

Following its approval on January 9, the project will be implemented by the Government of Rwanda through the University of Rwanda and is expected to run until 2030.

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The Bank’s contribution includes $24.64 million from the African Development Fund, its concessional lending window, and $5.21 million from the African Development Bank, with the remainder provided by the Government of Rwanda.

According to AfDB, Phase II will expand and upgrade the Centre of Excellence in Kigali Innovation City, introducing new academic programmes, student training, modern laboratories, and advanced equipment.

The project will directly train 470 students in biomedical engineering, rehabilitation and mobility sciences, and digital health, at both bachelor’s and master’s levels. Most beneficiaries will be youth from Rwanda and other East African Community countries.

University of Rwanda academic staff will also receive PhD and post-doctoral training to sustain high-quality teaching and research.

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Phase II will support curriculum reform, accreditation, and collaborative research with leading international institutions. It will further strengthen regional integration through student and faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, knowledge-sharing events, and entrepreneurship programmes, the Bank said.

A key innovation under Phase II is the creation of a Biomedical Innovation Park, which will allow students, researchers, and private companies to design, test, and produce health technologies that address local and regional needs.

Hospitals and clinics are expected to benefit from locally trained specialists who can install, maintain, and repair medical equipment, reducing delays in treatment and reliance on imported solutions.

Under this project, communities across Rwanda, including those in rural areas, are expected to gain greater access to quality healthcare through digital health tools and telemedicine.

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The Bank also noted that during construction, the project will generate hundreds of short-term jobs, particularly for youth.

Hendrina Doroba, Bank Group Manager for Education and Skills Development, emphasised that the project will equip young Rwandans with world-class skills while bringing improved health services closer to families.

"It is an investment in talent, innovation, and the wellbeing of our communities,” she said.

In the long term, the project is expected to foster health technology businesses, attract research funding, and create skilled jobs, driving innovation across the sector, the Bank added.