The African Development Bank Group has approved $29.85 million in financing for Phase II of Rwanda’s Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and e-Health Project, part of a $33.64 million initiative aimed at building future-ready skills and strengthening the country’s health system. The Bank Group’s support includes $24.64 million from the African Development Fund and $5.21 million from the African Development Bank, with the remainder provided by the Government of Rwanda.
The project will expand and upgrade the Centre of Excellence, located in Kigali Innovation City, by enhancing academic programmes, student training, and private sector linkages. New facilities, including modern laboratories and advanced equipment, will be developed to support high-quality education and research in biomedical engineering, rehabilitation and mobility sciences, and digital health.
Phase II will directly train 470 students at bachelor’s and master’s levels, primarily from Rwanda and other East African Community countries, while also strengthening University of Rwanda academic staff through PhD and post-doctoral training. Curriculum reform, accreditation, and collaborative research with leading international institutions will ensure sustained teaching and research excellence. Regional integration will be promoted through student and faculty exchanges, knowledge-sharing events, joint research initiatives, and entrepreneurship support programmes.
A key innovation under this phase is the Biomedical Innovation Park, which will enable students, researchers, and private companies to design, test, and produce health technologies addressing local and regional needs. Hospitals and clinics will benefit from locally trained specialists capable of installing, maintaining, and repairing medical equipment, reducing dependence on imported solutions, lowering healthcare costs, and improving service delivery.
The project will also expand access to quality healthcare for urban and rural communities through digital health tools and telemedicine, facilitating better diagnosis, safer treatment, and stronger health services nationwide. During the construction phase, hundreds of short-term jobs will be created, while long-term benefits are expected to include the growth of health technology businesses, attraction of research funding, and the creation of skilled employment opportunities.
“This project will equip our young people with world-class skills while bringing better health services closer to families. It is an investment in talent, innovation and the wellbeing of our communities,” said Hendrina Doroba, Bank Group Manager for education and skills development. Following its approval on 9 January, the project will be implemented by the Government of Rwanda through the University of Rwanda and will run through 2030, aligning with Rwanda’s vision for a knowledge-driven economy and a resilient, inclusive health system.
