Teknowledge Launches AI Services and Skilling Academies in Rwanda, Bolstering Nation’s Digital Vision
KIGALI — As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms global labor markets, top officials in Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation are stressing the need to strengthen workers’ skills to capture emerging opportunities. In a major step toward this goal, global tech firm Teknowledge has officially launched its AI-powered services in the Rwandan market.
The launch introduces new cybersecurity solutions, AI services, and dedicated skilling academies to the country. Aileen Allkins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Teknowledge, stated that the company’s expansion is designed to help Rwandans strengthen their technological capacities in both their daily lives and professional careers.
Alkins emphasized that Teknowledge’s goals are deeply intertwined with the country’s national strategy. “What we’re bringing is completely in support of Rwanda’s vision 2050,” Alkins stated. “So the focus on becoming a digital economy creating a path to high-income job opportunities, what we bring to the market is exactly the capability building that the country needs to support that vision”.
Government Lays the Foundation for AI Innovation
To support this technological shift, the Rwandan government is actively implementing strategies to advance digital skills and increase investment in the tech sector. Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation, highlighted recent government initiatives, including the cabinet’s approval of a new Rwanda AI agency.
“This is going to be purpose-built to coordinate all national AI deployment but also to govern data use and to set standards that will protect citizens while enabling innovation,” Minister Ingabire explained.
Furthermore, the government is investing heavily in a governed national data sandbox to fuel local AI development. “Without data there’s no AI,” Ingabire noted, adding that these foundations are being built so that “researchers [and] companies can access [Rwandan] data and build [Rwandan] relevant models and not just to export the data but also to anchor world-class talent here in [Kigali]”.
Upskilling the Local Workforce
Teknowledge, which has been established in Rwanda since 2021 (formerly known as Tech Expert before merging with Scitec and Elevate), aims to collaborate with various institutions to equip the youth with necessary AI skills. According to Yannick Manzi Naho, a Senior Account Manager at Teknowledgee, the company’s local teams of over a thousand young professionals have spent the last five years supporting global software giants like Microsoft, Broadcom, and OpenText right from Rwanda.
Local employees are already feeling the impact of the company’s pivot toward artificial intelligence. One employee, who transitioned from traditional technical support, shared their experience of joining the company’s “train the trainer” program.
“We’re getting ready, getting trained, getting skills required to be an AI trainer which… is kind of replacing what the customer service that we already know of people,” the employee shared, noting that they are now actively “building AI agents”. They credited the company with helping them improve clear communication, remain composed under pressure, and solve complex issues.
As AI continues to reshape how the world operates and competes economically, Rwanda is signaling its readiness. With foundational government policies and private sector investments from companies like Teknowledge, the country is positioning itself to become one of Africa’s leading hubs for technology-driven transformation.
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