The African Olympiad Academy (AOA) has officially opened its doors for the 2025–2026 academic year, introducing Africa’s first secondary school dedicated to nurturing Olympiad-level talent in mathematics and science. Designed as a pan-African hub for the continent’s brightest young minds, AOA begins with a fully funded inaugural class of 30 students, 15 boys and 15 girls from eight African countries. Admission is by invitation only, through AOA’s Rising Stars programme, which scouts exceptional talent from underrepresented and lower-quintile schools via online training and in-person camps. With a curriculum rooted in international Olympiad standards and African values, AOA aims to prepare its students not just for global academic competitions but for leading roles in AI, tech, and advanced problem-solving across the continent. ALSO READ:Harnessing the power of math talent in Rwanda The minister of education, joseph Nsengimana expressed support for the launch of the african Olympiad academy’s launch of stem high school in Rwanda emphasising its role in advancing education,particulary in mathematics,coding and the sciences. “This initiative aligns with Rwanda's national goal to strengthen STEM education and nurture future leaders. We acknowledge the need for collaboration from various stakeholders—public and private sectors, education institutions, and international donors—believing that the academy will significantly contribute to Rwanda’s educational and developmental goals,” he said. According to Arun Shanmuganathan, co-founder and Executive Director of AOA, short-term Olympiad programmes were no longer enough to meet the needs of Africa’s most promising math students. His experience building the Rwandan Math Olympiad team and supporting African participation in both the Pan-African and International Math Olympiads made it clear that a more sustained investment was necessary. “We realised we needed to invest in students deeply beyond short-term Olympiad training camps and programmes, because we needed to spend more time, and the answer was AOA, a three-year school where students can learn from the best while being surrounded by students with the same interests and motivations,” he said. The school will mark its official launch with a global open house and gala this November, welcoming partners and diaspora leaders invested in Africa’s tech-driven future. Interested supporters can reach out via info@aoa.school. ALSO READ: Kigali’s New Generation Academy leads AI education, gears up for global competition Co-founder and AOA Head of School, Gaidi Faraj, explained that the ability to compete in the future of AI and technology depends on developing deep mathematical talent within the continent. He said that building a generation of problem-solvers rooted in African perspectives is essential for long-term success. “The foundation of AI is strong math ability, and if the African continent is going to be able to compete globally, it needs to develop its own pipeline of strong math talent, It is important for us to develop a generation that is versed in deep mathematical and problem-solving skills for us to build solutions for the continent that are rooted in an African perspective,” he noted. About the African Olympiad Academy The African Olympiad Academy (AOA) is a first-of-its-kind Pan-African residential high school focused on training Africa’s top math and science students. AOA offers a rigorous, Olympiad-style curriculum designed to develop deep problem-solving skills, while also fostering leadership, innovation, and a strong sense of purpose. More than just an academic institution, AOA is a community built to shape the next generation of African leaders in STEM. With a strong emphasis on African values and global competitiveness, AOA equips students to succeed in international competitions and prepares them to contribute to the continent’s future in AI, technology, and science. Learn more at https://www.aoa.school/ .
