Rwanda Launches International Cybersecurity Training Center (Cyber Academy)

On October 2, 2025, Rwanda officially launched an International Cyber Academy, a regional center of excellence dedicated to advancing knowledge and strengthening capacity in cybersecurity both nationally and across the region.

The academy will train over 200 participants annually, with more than 30% being women and girls. It was established through a partnership led by CISCO, a U.S.-based technology company, which also provided advanced equipment and learning technologies.

Built to international standards, the institution offers courses in cybersecurity, ethical hacking, and information protection, equipping learners with practical skills to prevent and respond to cyberattacks. It features specialized training labs where participants can experiment with modern tools, collaborate globally, and develop tech-driven innovation projects.

CISCO integrated its WebEx platform to enable virtual collaboration and Meraki systems for monitoring data flow and preventing cyber threats. The facility is also equipped with IoT sensors to track environmental factors such as temperature, air quality, and door activity—enhancing the digital management of the building.

According to Conrad Steyn, CISCO’s Managing Director for Africa, the academy will play a critical role in tackling the growing threat of cyberattacks worldwide. He noted that CISCO’s systems currently block over 6.4 billion cyberattacks daily.

The center forms part of CISCO’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program, active in 50 countries, with over 1,600 projects implemented in the past 25 years. CDA focuses on accelerating digital transformation in government, education, healthcare, and social development.

CISCO has already trained more than 1.6 million Africans, including over 28,000 Rwandans, with 30% being women. The company plans to expand its initiatives and continue sharing expertise across sectors.

Ghislaine Kayigi, an official from the National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA), said they will collaborate with public and private institutions to identify experts to teach at the academy and to train instructors from different educational institutions.

Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, commended CISCO and other partners for their contribution, calling the initiative a major step toward national digital resilience.

She added that the academy will empower Rwandans with critical cybersecurity skills, enhancing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, at a time when the global economy faces a shortage of over 4 million cybersecurity professionals.

Minister Ingabire also highlighted Rwanda’s broader commitment to expanding digital literacy—raising national ICT proficiency from 53% to 100%, and training one million coding experts and 500,000 specialists in advanced technologies by 2029.