Rwanda Launches Cybersecurity Training Center Targeting One Million Learners by 2030

Kigali, March 21, 2026 - A new cybersecurity training and consultancy center aimed at strengthening digital skills across Africa has been launched in Rwanda, with an ambitious target of training more than one million people by 2030. The initiative, known as International Cybersecurity Community for Africa (ICCA), was officially unveiled on March 20 by a consortium of international students specializing in technology. ICCA Chief Executive Officer Petero Niyodusenga said the idea was born while he and his colleagues were studying in the United States, where they began informally teaching cybersecurity to fellow students. “We realized there was a strong need to expand this knowledge to Africa,” he said, noting the continent’s rapid digital transformation and the growing importance of cybersecurity in both public and private sectors. He pointed to Rwanda’s national development strategies, including National Strategy for Transformation phases, which emphasize infrastructure development and increased integration of technology across government services, businesses, and daily life. “As digital adoption grows, so does the need for skilled professionals to protect systems and data,” Niyodusenga added. Rwanda has set a national target of equipping one million people-primarily youth-with coding and basic technology skills by 2029, alongside training an additional 500,000 individuals in advanced digital competencies. An official from the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Grace Niwemukiza, stressed that achieving these goals will require strong collaboration across sectors. “The government cannot achieve this alone,” Niwemukiza said. “Partnerships between public institutions, private companies, and initiatives like ICCA are essential to meet our national ambitions.” The center plans to offer training to a wide range of beneficiaries, including university students, IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and corporate staff seeking to strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities. Students have welcomed the initiative as a practical complement to academic learning. Carnegie Mellon University Africa student Aklile Mamo said the program would provide hands-on experience often missing from classroom instruction. “Learning in school is important, but applying that knowledge in real-world situations is critical,” he said. ICCA also aims to expand its reach beyond Rwanda, with plans to operate across multiple African countries, including Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Ethiopia, as part of a broader effort to build cybersecurity capacity across the continent. Social and Health