Kigali witnessed a major milestone on Thursday, October 2, with the launch of the National Centre of Excellence inCybersecurity, a facility aimed at strengthening Rwanda’s digital resilience and nurturing the next generation of tech professionals.
The CyberHub, housed at the University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology, is equipped with advanced computer systems provided by Cisco and other partners. The center will serve as both a training ground and an innovation hub, offering opportunities for students, entrepreneurs, and industry players to develop practical skills in cybersecurity and data protection.
Speaking at the launch, Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, highlighted the broader vision of the initiative.
“When we invest in cybersecurity, it’s not just about defence. We are creating jobs, services, and startups. Our metrics will be measured not only by the number of people we train, but by how much the industry grows and how resilient our systems become.” She spoke.
The center builds on Rwanda’s ambition to position itself as a regional digital entrepreneurship hub, a flagship initiative rolled out last month to empower startups and entrepreneurship support organizations with both funding and strategic guidance.
CyberHub is expected to play a pivotal role in this ecosystem, addressing the growing complexity of cyber threats while also unlocking new opportunities in the global digital economy. “This is not something we’re building just for the government,” Ingabire emphasized. “It’s for the private sector, academia, and entrepreneurs who can transform their skills into thriving businesses.”
In the short term, Rwanda aims to train at least 200 cybersecurity specialists through the center, with a broader national target of developing 500,000 ICT professionals over the next five years.
Cisco, the lead technology partner, described the hub as one of its flagship projects under the Country Digital Acceleration programme. Dima Kandelhaft, Senior Director at Cisco, noted:
“This hub will directly address the skills gap and build future-ready talent capable of working with AI in a safe and secure environment.”
Since 2009, Cisco has collaborated with Rwanda on various IT initiatives, including its Networking Academy, which has already trained more than 28,000 Rwandans, 30 percent of whom are women. The new centre will expand that impact by providing hands-on access to cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies.
David Kanamugire, CEO of the National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA), said the facility directly addresses Rwanda’s urgent need to build strong defences for its digital future.
“At this centre, students will have access to some of the world’s best technologies to gain practical cybersecurity skills. Our hope is that graduates will help bridge the skills shortage not just in Rwanda, but across the region.”
During the launch, IT experts showcased some of the tools the hub will deploy. Joel Kashaija, CEO of Shield Tech Hub, demonstrated Threat Informant, a solution that monitors dark web markets for leaked data, alerting clients before breaches escalate.
“Rwanda is a heavily digitized country, so cyber threats will continue to rise. Proactive solutions and training are vital not only for local companies but also for international partners we work with,” Kashaija explained.
The CyberHub, therefore, stands as both a shield and a springboard: protecting Rwanda’s digital ecosystem while creating opportunities for innovation, employment, and entrepreneurship in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.
