EcoMappers graduates 40 youths for geospatial, digital economy jobs

More than 40 young people have completed a six-month training programme in geospatial and digital skills under the Innovate4DigiJobs initiative, helping expand Rwanda's pool of job-ready talent for the digital economy. The trainees graduated during a ceremony held on June 12, 2026. The training was delivered by EcoMappers, a community of young mappers working to address biodiversity loss, pollution, disaster risks, and climate change through geospatial data and innovative solutions. Innovate4DigiJobs, spearheaded by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Rwanda ICT Chamber with funding from the Government of Luxembourg, aims to tackle youth unemployment while accelerating digital transformation. The programme equipped participants with practical skills in mapping, data analysis, visualisation, dashboard development, and digital innovation tools that are increasingly in demand across Rwanda’s digital economy. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, which brought together employers, development partners, academic institutions, and technology stakeholders, EcoMappers Founder and Executive Director Rebecca Jeannette Nyinawumuntu said the training focused on hands-on learning and market-relevant skills. “I am proud to say that over the past six months, we trained more than 40 graduates in geospatial technology, data science, dashboard development, and other data-related tools,” she said. Nyinawumuntu pointed out that the programme required dedication from both trainers and participants and has already yielded positive outcomes. “It was a journey of hard work and dedication. I am proud that all the trainees will receive fellowships in different institutions, and some have already secured employment and are performing well in roles related to geospatial technologies,” she said. Participants were selected through a competitive process and came from diverse fields, including urban planning, agriculture, mining, finance, health, and data collection. “We issued a call for applications for those interested in geospatial technologies. GIS is a broad field used across many sectors, including agriculture, mining, finance, and health,” Rebecca explained. The programme, she indicated, intentionally brought together participants with different educational backgrounds to test the effectiveness of practical training. “Some had completed university, and we wanted to assess whether practical training would help them learn quickly and succeed. The result is that they were able to understand and apply what they were taught,” she noted. A key feature of the programme was experiential learning through real-world projects. “Most already had theoretical knowledge, but they now have practical skills. Through learning by doing—whether in GIS, mapping, or project development—they acquired competencies they are already applying,” Rebecca said. Luxembourg backs digital skills development Charlotte Helminger, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Kigali, described the programme as one of the first tangible success stories of the Innovate4DigiJobs Challenge. “The Embassy of Luxembourg is proud to support EcoMappers. This is one of the first concrete outcomes from the winners of the Innovate4DigiJobs Challenge, supported alongside the International Labour Organization,” she said. She said the broader initiative seeks to strengthen digital skills development and youth entrepreneurship, while highlighting geospatial technology and data analytics as critical capabilities for Rwanda’s development. Graduates showcase practical solutions Graduates used the training to strengthen projects addressing real-world challenges. Faustin Nsengiyumva said the programme helped him improve an agriculture project focused on crop suitability and climate conditions. “I studied irrigation at university, but I needed geospatial and data analytics skills to improve my project. Different regions have different climates, and my project can now analyse temperature and climate before crop selection. Every crop should be based on data analysis before planting,” he said. Another graduate, Denyse Uwimana, said the skills she acquired transformed a project developed in Bugesera District. Her team created a GIS-based platform to monitor and manage solar-powered irrigation systems across Rwanda. The solution maps irrigation sites, water sources, operational status, ownership, beneficiaries, and irrigated land, while providing insights through interactive dashboards and digital maps. The project found that several irrigation schemes depend on shared water sources such as Lake Cyohoha South, highlighting potential sustainability concerns. “The project aims to support decision-makers with real-time spatial information for planning, water resource management, and sustainable irrigation development across Rwanda,” she said. Growing demand for geospatial skills ILO Project Manager Fatima Elsanousi Sirelkhatim said the initiative was designed to connect young people with opportunities in Rwanda’s expanding digital economy. “This fellowship programme, as well as the Innovation Challenge, aims to enable young women and men to access opportunities in Rwanda’s digital economy. Digital skills are not limited to coding and IT,” she said. “Geospatial technologies, digital mapping, and data analysis are increasingly important in urban planning, infrastructure development, environmental management, agriculture, and logistics.” Rwanda ICT Chamber CEO Alex Ntale said demand for geospatial and data analytics skills is rising across sectors, describing geospatial systems as a key component of Rwanda’s digital public infrastructure. “Geospatial technology is one of the fastest-growing yet often overlooked fields. Everyone in Rwanda uses location-based applications or solutions, and their use is expanding daily,” he said. Yvonne Akimana, Director of Surveying and Mapping at the National Land Authority, urged graduates to recognise the broader impact of their work. “Maps are more than technical products. They help us understand our territory, plan for the future, and interpret realities that often remain invisible to decision-makers. Through your work in this fellowship, you have helped close those gaps,” she said. “Rwanda needs professionals who can turn information into action, data into insights, and knowledge into lasting impact.”

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EcoMappers graduates 40 youths for geospatial, digital economy jobs