Rwanda has secured about Rwf43.5 billion in new financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group to expand its flagship health training and innovation programme, as the country continues to position itself as a regional hub for specialised skills and digital health solutions.
The AfDB has approved $29.85 million for the Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and e-Health (CEBE) Phase II, part of a broader $33.64 million project that the Government of Rwanda will implement through the University of Rwanda. The programme is scheduled to run until 2030, following the Bank’s approval on January 9.
Of the total AfDB financing, $24.64 million will come from the African Development Fund, the Bank’s concessional window for low-income countries. In comparison, $5.21 million will be provided directly by the African Development Bank. The Government of Rwanda will cover the remaining costs.
The second phase builds on the gains of Phase I, which established the Centre of Excellence at Kigali Innovation City to address long-standing gaps in biomedical engineering and digital health skills in Rwanda and the wider region. Rwanda, like many African countries, has historically relied on imported medical equipment and foreign specialists for installation, maintenance, and repairs, often resulting in delays in care and higher costs for hospitals.
AfDB says Phase II will expand infrastructure and academic capacity by introducing new programmes, upgrading laboratories, and providing advanced training equipment tailored to emerging health technologies.
Under the new phase, 470 students will be trained in biomedical engineering, rehabilitation and mobility sciences, and digital health at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Most beneficiaries are expected to be young people from Rwanda and other East African Community (EAC) member states.
In addition, academic staff from the University of Rwanda will receive PhD and postdoctoral training to strengthen teaching quality, research output, and the programme’s long-term sustainability.
The project also includes curriculum reform, accreditation support, and collaborative research with international universities and research institutions. AfDB noted that student and faculty exchanges, joint research projects, and entrepreneurship initiatives will further promote regional integration and knowledge sharing.
A central feature of Phase II is the planned Biomedical Innovation Park, designed to link academia, researchers, and the private sector. The facility will enable the design, testing, and local production of medical devices and digital health solutions tailored to Rwanda’s and the region’s needs.
Health facilities are expected to benefit from a growing pool of locally trained specialists capable of maintaining and repairing medical equipment, reducing dependence on external service providers and imported technologies.
The project also aims to expand access to healthcare services beyond urban centres, particularly through digital health platforms and telemedicine, improving service delivery in rural communities.
AfDB noted that construction activities alone are expected to create hundreds of short-term jobs, mainly for young people. In the long term, the initiative is expected to stimulate health technology start-ups, attract research funding, and create skilled jobs across the health and innovation sectors.
Hendrina Doroba, AfDB Group Manager for Education and Skills Development, said the investment reflects the Bank’s focus on linking skills development with practical impact.
“This project equips young Rwandans with world-class skills while bringing quality health services closer to families,” she said. “It is an investment in talent, innovation, and community wellbeing.”
Rwanda has prioritised skills development, innovation, and digital health as part of its broader development strategy, with Kigali Innovation City envisioned as a cornerstone for research-driven growth. The AfDB-backed expansion of the Centre of Excellence is expected to reinforce that vision while addressing critical health system needs.
