Rwanda Coding Academy (RCA) has been named among the world’s top 50 schools in the running for the $1 million Global Schools Prize 2026.

The Nyabihu-based institution was selected from nearly 3,000 nominations and applications spanning 113 countries in a competition organised by the Varkey Foundation to recognise schools transforming learning for the future.

RCA is a finalist in the AI Transformation category, supported by Fab AI, a not-for-profit organisation focused on improving education outcomes through artificial intelligence in low- and middle-income countries.

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Founded by education philanthropist Sunny Varkey, the Global Schools Prize is the largest award of its kind, according to the award organisers.

The top 50 announcement recognises outstanding schools worldwide that demonstrate exceptional drive and ambition for their students, regardless of circumstance, ensuring every learner has the chance to thrive.

Shortlisted schools receive a Global Schools Prize Badge symbolising world-class impact and achievement in areas ranging from AI transformation to teacher development.

They are also welcomed into the Global Schools Network, gaining access to partnerships, professional development, and global collaboration opportunities with other leading institutions.

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A bold model for future-ready education

Established in 2019 in Nyabihu District, RCA is a government-run specialist high school that currently trains 280 of Rwanda’s talented students aged 14 to 19 to become ethical software engineers and AI innovators.

Its curriculum goes far beyond standard schooling, delivering advanced instruction in software development, cybersecurity, embedded systems, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.

Its approach goes beyond technical skills. Ethics, responsibility, and social impact are embedded in every project. Students are encouraged not only to build AI systems but also to critically examine issues such as fairness, privacy, and real-world implications, they indicated.

One standout student innovation uses computer vision to detect road accidents in real time. The system is trained on local data and deliberately avoids facial recognition to protect privacy.

Strong results on the global stage

RCA’s outcomes reflect its ambition. Students have developed more than 70 functional technology projects, demonstrating practical problem-solving skills.

In 2025, RCA students swept first, second, and third place at picoCTF-Africa 2025 - a computer security competition organised by Carnegie Mellon University Africa for students across the African continent, outperforming competitors from over 20 African countries.

They also secured first place at the 2026 AI Ideathon organised by Rwanda Basic Education Board and are set to represent Rwanda internationally in Switzerland.

Partnerships with institutions such as Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), alongside participation in global hackathons and cyber-resilience forums, have further elevated the school’s international profile.

If it secures the prize, the organisers pointed out, RCA aims to use the funding to expand infrastructure, strengthen teacher training, and deepen community outreach, scaling its impact as a hub for youth-led digital transformation.

Global recognition

"Congratulations, Rwanda Coding Academy. Your approach to teaching and learning powerfully demonstrates how schools play a defining role in equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to shape our rapidly evolving world,” said Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Global Schools Prize.

"By highlighting your achievement, we hope to inspire a global movement to reimagine learning and turn bold ideas into real-world impact. This is more than an award – it’s a platform to spark a global conversation about scaling the best ideas in education and advancing action far beyond the classroom.”

The top 50 schools will be narrowed down to 10 category winners, each receiving $50,000. From this group, one overall winner will be awarded the Global Schools Prize and $500,000 to scale its impact.

The winner is expected to be announced this month at the Education World Forum in London.