The University of Kigali (UoK) has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity Training Centre to address critical digital skills gaps and equip students, professionals and organisations with practical expertise in emerging technologies.
Officially unveiled on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the University's Main Campus in Kacyiru, Kigali, the Centre was established in partnership with Kenya-based CyberPro Global. It will provide industry-focused training, hands-on learning and professional certification programmes designed to respond to evolving labour market demands.
The initiative builds on findings from the University's 2025 Labour Market Study, involving 5,923 participants, which identified significant demand for AI, cybersecurity and data-related competencies.
According to Dr. Wilson Musoni, Dean of the School of Computing and Information Technology (SCIT) and Centre Lead, 71 per cent of employers reported high demand for skills in these fields, while 90.9 per cent of alumni respondents expressed a preference for practical, hands-on learning.
It is also expected to complement the University's proposed Master's programme in Cybersecurity and Bachelor's programme in Artificial Intelligence, reflecting UoK's broader commitment to industry-relevant education, practical skills development and technological innovation.
Speaking at the launch, Antoine Sebera, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), representing the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, emphasised that developing skilled professionals was essential to Rwanda's digital transformation.
"As more of our economy and public services go digital, two areas are becoming central to progress, and those are AI and cybersecurity,” he said.
He noted that AI could improve service delivery and productivity, while cybersecurity was essential to protecting the systems and information that support digital services.
"This is why the launch of this centre is very significant. It gives students, professionals and organisations a place to build practical skills in AI and cybersecurity. And believe me, we need them,” he said.
Sebera urged businesses to support internships, research and practical student projects, while encouraging public institutions to utilise the Centre to strengthen the security of digital services.
He also challenged Rwanda to develop homegrown technological solutions rather than remain dependent on technologies developed elsewhere, emphasising the importance of AI solutions that understand local languages, respond to Africa's unique needs and reflect its values.
Four certification pathways to deliver practical AI and cybersecurity training
According to Dr. Musoni, the Centre will offer four certification pathways designed to meet the needs of beginners, IT practitioners and experienced professionals.
The programmes will combine cybersecurity and AI training, covering areas ranging from basic digital security and responsible AI use to advanced threat intelligence, digital forensics, machine learning and enterprise AI governance.
The Foundation pathway, leading to the Certificate in Cybersecurity and AI (CCAI), targets beginners, students and graduates. The one-month programme comprises 80 hours of training and introduces participants to cybersecurity principles, common digital threats, cyber hygiene, network fundamentals, AI concepts, generative AI tools and responsible technology use.
The Intermediate pathway, leading to the Advanced Certificate in Cybersecurity and AI (ACCAI), is designed for IT staff, technicians, developers and analysts. Delivered over three months, with 240 hours of training, it covers network security, vulnerability assessment, incident response, ethical hacking, cloud security, machine learning and data analysis.
The Advanced pathway, leading to the Specialist Certificate in Cybersecurity and AI (SCCAI), targets experienced professionals working in sectors such as government, banking, telecommunications and corporate institutions. The six-month programme comprises 480 hours of training in areas including penetration testing, digital forensics, threat intelligence, security operations, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision and AI governance.
The Professional pathway, leading to the Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity and AI (PCCAI), is intended for senior specialists, managers and technical leaders. Delivered over 12 months, with 720 hours of training, it focuses on cybersecurity architecture, threat hunting, red and blue team operations, Zero Trust security, enterprise risk management, large language models, machine learning operations and enterprise AI governance.
"Training will combine practical laboratory sessions, industry case studies, hands-on assignments, continuous assessment and final applied projects,” Dr. Musoni explained.
The first cohort is scheduled to begin training on November 16, 2026.
Philibert Afrika, Chairman of the University of Kigali Governing Body, said the initiative aligned with the institution's founding vision of developing programmes that respond to national needs.
He noted that the University had grown from 35 students at its establishment 13 years ago to over 14,000 students, while expanding its focus on professionally oriented programmes that equip graduates with workplace-ready skills.
"Whatever programme we put in place, it is responding to the realities of our environment. It is addressing the needs of our country,” Afrika said.
Beyond individual certification programmes, the Centre will provide customised training for government institutions, private companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). It will also support applied research and practical projects involving students, lecturers and industry partners, strengthening collaboration between academia and the workplace.
Positioning Kigali as a regional hub for AI and cybersecurity
John Mutunga, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CyberPro Global, emphasised the importance of strengthening Africa's capacity to develop and secure its own technologies.
"The centre was built because Africa is digitising faster than it is securing itself,” Mutunga said.
He challenged African institutions to invest in the expertise and infrastructure necessary to develop and protect their own technologies rather than remain consumers of solutions developed elsewhere.
"The question is not whether Africa will use AI. The question is whether Africa will build it, secure it and own it, or simply consume what others make,” he said.
Mutunga further noted that CyberPro Global intended to bring industry expertise and training approaches developed through international collaborations to Rwanda, contributing to the development of a new generation of African cybersecurity professionals.
Prof. George Kimathi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kigali, noted that the Centre had taken nearly a year to establish and was designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical workplace skills.
"We have a very simple purpose, to turn learning into real capability,” he said.
He called for greater knowledge transfer and technical collaboration between CyberPro Global and the University of Kigali, expressing the ambition to position Kigali as a regional hub for AI and cybersecurity training.
"Kigali must become the centre of AI and cybersecurity in Africa,” he emphasised.
The Vice Chancellor further revealed that CyberPro Global had pledged to expand the Centre's capacity from 50 to approximately 200 workstations and transform it into a smart training facility.
The launch was also attended by Shiphrah Wairima, President of the Global Council for Responsible AI (Kenya); Christian Merz, Programme Lead, Digital Portfolio, at the Digital Transformation Center (GIZ); and Landry Sugira, Advisor for Digital Skills Development at the Digital Transformation Center. Their presence reflected broader stakeholder interest in advancing digital skills development and technological innovation in Rwanda.
With its combination of academic expertise, industry partnerships and practical certification programmes, the Centre represents a further step in the University of Kigali's efforts to strengthen digital skills development, support technological innovation and contribute to Rwanda's ambition of building a competitive, knowledge-driven economy.