“I came here not knowing anything about coding, and now I can build websites, apps, and even design projects for school,” said Nael Rutagarama, a Senior Five student participating in Techers Summer Camp 2025. ALSO READ: STEM industry women inspire next generation of girls in tech Organised annually by HERinTech, an initiative that seeks to equip more girls with tech skills, the camp is a 30-day event that empowers girls to become creators, problem-solvers, and future tech leaders. Over the past month, the camp hosted 55 girls who applied their newly acquired skills to develop projects ranging from student-focused applications to transport innovations and other creative solutions. Rutagarama, for instance, used the coding skills she gained from the camp along with her friends to build a project they titled ‘Virtue Echo’, a magazine designed to showcase camp activities to the girls who did not attend. She plans to apply these skills at school, particularly in designing websites. For high school girls like Rutagarama, coding is more than a digital skill, it’s a tool that strengthens their studies, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Alex Ntale, CEO of Rwanda ICT Chamber Private Sector Federation, said initiatives like these align with government programs, including the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2). “NST2 aims to train over 500,000 people in IT and digital skills, most of whom are young,” he said. “By participating, you are helping us get closer to achieving that vision.” Annick Keza, a participant in an earlier cohort that took place in 2022, said she joined Techers Summer Camp to pursue her dream of becoming a software developer, a goal she is still actively working toward. Through attending the camp, she said, gained skills in coding programs like Python, JavaScript, design thinking, and Figma. “It changed my perspective on tech because I didn’t know anything when I came,” Keza said. “Within a month, they equipped me with skills that helped me through Level 4 and Level 5.” “My advice to young Techers is to keep working hard; you’ll see the results when you put into work,” she added. ALSO READ: Space tech: Rwanda’s progress on space projects Brita Kayigamba, a participant in the 2025 cohort, worked on a project titled ‘Genda,” which focuses on improving public transport. “Our platform targets three groups: passengers, bus drivers, and the police,” she said. “For passengers, it allows them to book and pay for seats in advance, ensuring they have a guaranteed seat upon arrival at the bus station instead of standing.” She explained that bus drivers can post their routes along with departure and arrival times, while the police can update the public on routes that are temporarily closed, such as during official events. Kevine Kubana Gitego, a student at Saint Ignatius, presented her project, titled 'Edulink Rwanda,' which aims to connect students with their dream universities. “Many students want to apply for universities but don’t know where or how to start,” she explained. “You often have to apply to multiple schools, rewriting your application essays over and over, which is tiring. Scholarships are also hard to find.” “Our website is designed to solve these problems, helping students apply efficiently and increase their chances of acceptance,” she added. ALSO READ: Rwanda Coding Academy set to accommodate more students Established in 2022, HerInTech has trained 103 girls from past cohorts, along with 55 girls from this year’s cohort. Currently, students apply individually, and the programme’s management collaborates with their schools to ensure they perform well.
