Rwanda is positioning itself as a continental leader in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionize its education system. The ambitious strategy, which aims to enhance personalized learning and teacher support, was unveiled at the Future of Education and Work in Africa (FEWA) AI Summit, held on October 23 at the Kigali Convention Center.
The country’s plan focuses on using AI as a tool to support, rather than supersede, educators. Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana stressed that AI will be used to “enhance classroom learning and support teachers, not replace them.”
Recognizing the challenge of growing class sizes, Nsengimana explained that AI can help teachers give students “more personalized attention… and track their progress effectively.”
Rwanda is already laying the groundwork for widespread AI integration. The government has trained 150 teachers, five from each district, who are tasked with guiding others on how to introduce AI into classrooms.
By the next academic year, the Ministry of Education plans to introduce AI tools in schools to support key tasks, including lesson planning, student assessments, and evaluations. To ensure the program is successful, Minister Nsengimana highlighted the critical importance of collaborating with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation to secure robust internet connectivity and the necessary digital tools in schools.
Rwanda’s national AI strategy is guided by three main pillars: readiness, relevance, and reach. This approach aligns with the country’s long-term Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation. The nation is also working with MIT RAISE to train teachers and pilot AI-assisted educational tools.
Urgency for African adaptation
The summit underscored the critical need for Africa to adapt quickly to emerging technologies. Titus Ngatia, the Founder and CEO of FEWA, described Kigali as “Africa’s growing hub for AI and innovation.” Ngatia argued that AI must be introduced early in education to ensure students understand its influence on the world, while also emphasising that technology must uphold human values and identity.
Minister Nsengimana delivered a sobering message on the demographic reality of the continent: with over 60% of Africans under 25, rapid adaptation is necessary to prevent the digital and economic divide from widening. He concluded that for AI to truly benefit learners, the continent must collectively focus on inclusion, trust, employability, and measurable progress. Rwanda’s efforts place it alongside countries like Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and Ghana in driving this technological shift in African education.
