When Jacqueline Dushimirimana obtained her Category E driving licence, she believed she had all the qualifications needed to become a professional heavy truck driver.

Excited to break into a field largely dominated by men, the 34-year-old mother of two began transporting cargo across East Africa for Dubai Port, navigating some of the region's busiest trade corridors.

It did not take long for her to realise that driving was only one part of the job.

Mechanical breakdowns on remote highways, customs procedures at border posts, cargo safety requirements, customer relations and international transport regulations became part of her daily routine. Yet none of these skills had been covered during her driver training.

"I realised that a driving licence was not enough as a heavy truck driver," she said. "Sometimes you encounter mechanical faults and cannot even fix minor problems. Some drivers do not know how to secure cargo properly, while others struggle with customs procedures or interacting professionally with clients."

Those experiences led her to enrol at the newly established ACPLRWA Vocational Training Centre (VTC), Rwanda's first specialised institution dedicated to training heavy truck drivers.

Launched on July 15 and accredited by the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), the centre which is located at Kigali Special Economic Zone, aims to professionalise the trucking industry while improving road safety and transport efficiency.

Beyond driving

For years, obtaining a Category C or E driving licence was considered sufficient to operate heavy commercial vehicles. But modern freight transport demands far more than driving skills.

Truck drivers are increasingly expected to understand logistics operations, cargo management, vehicle maintenance, customs procedures, customer service and digital transport systems.

The new centre seeks to bridge that gap.

Its curriculum combines classroom learning with practical training in transport operations, heavy vehicle maintenance, road safety and compliance, customs and border procedures, customer service, entrepreneurship, and English and Kiswahili language skills.

According to officials, the programme is designed to prepare drivers for the growing demands of regional transport.

The initiative also addresses a legal requirement. Rwanda's law governing land and water transport requires drivers engaged in public transport operations to hold a professional certificate in addition to a valid driving licence. Under Article 163, drivers operating without the certificate are liable to an administrative fine of Rwf50,000.

Improving road safety

Officials believe the training will also help reduce crashes involving heavy commercial vehicles.

Although trucks account for a relatively small share of vehicles on Rwanda's roads, accidents involving them are often among the deadliest because of their size and weight.

Police data consistently identifies careless driving and improper manoeuvres as leading causes of road crashes.

Professional training cannot eliminate every accident, but it can reduce human error through defensive driving, hazard recognition, fatigue management, proper cargo securing and routine vehicle inspections.

Justin Kanyagisaka, President of the Rwanda Heavy Truck Drivers Association (ACPLRWA), said road safety was one of the key motivations behind establishing the centre.

"Our goal is to equip drivers with professional skills that contribute to reducing accidents involving heavy trucks," he said. "We want drivers who understand not only how to drive but how to prevent crashes before they happen."

Boosting regional trade

The benefits extend beyond road safety.

According to Théogène Dusabumuremyi, Acting Director General in charge of Transport at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda's landlocked position makes efficient road freight transport essential for connecting the country to regional ports and markets.

He said the sector needs greater professionalism to minimise delays caused by accidents, poor documentation, mechanical failures and inefficient border procedures, all of which increase transport costs for businesses and consumers.

Drivers who understand customs requirements, maintain their vehicles properly and communicate effectively with clients and border officials can help improve logistics efficiency and strengthen Rwanda's competitiveness as regional trade expands.

The inclusion of English and Kiswahili training reflects the realities of cross-border transport, where communication with customs officials, transport companies and clients across the East African Community is essential.

The centre is also encouraging more women to join a profession traditionally dominated by men.

For Dushimirimana, pursuing professional certification demonstrates that success in the industry depends on competence rather than gender.

The inaugural intake comprises 120 trainees, including 13 from neighbouring East African countries. New cohorts are expected every three months, gradually building a workforce with recognised professional qualifications.

"I hope the course will help me become a better professional," Dushimirimana said. "The skills I gain will help me perform better, serve clients better and improve my future."

Francois Nsengiyumva, Automobile Technology Trades Specialist at the Rwanda TVET Board, described the centre as an investment in safer roads, a stronger logistics sector and a more professional transport industry.

"The centre is recognised, and we have partnered throughout this journey," he said. "There are many opportunities drivers can seize, making this training valuable for their professional growth."