The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved new financing of $29.85 million for Rwanda's Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and e-Health Project Phase II, a $33.64 million project to build future-ready skills and strengthen the country's health system.
The Bank Group's contribution comprises $24.64 million from the African Development Fund, its concessional lending window, as well as a further $5.21 million from the African Development Bank; the remaining financing will be provided by the Government of Rwanda.
The project will expand and upgrade the Centre of Excellence, located in Kigali Innovation City - a mixed-use, growing tech hub inside the capital, through enhanced academic programmes and student trainings, strengthened private sector linkages, the construction of new facilities, including modern laboratories, and the procurement of advanced equipment.
Phase II of the project, building on successful delivery of Phase I, will directly train 470 students in biomedical engineering, rehabilitation and mobility sciences, and digital health, at both master's and bachelor's degree levels. Most of the beneficiaries will be youth from Rwanda and other East African Community countries. The project will also train University of Rwanda academic staff at PhD and post-doctoral levels to ensure and sustain high quality teaching and research.
It will also support curriculum reform, accreditation, and collaborative research with leading international institutions. The project will further advance regional integration with other Regional Centres of Excellence through student and faculty exchanges, regional knowledge-sharing events, joint research initiatives, and entrepreneurship support programmes.
A key innovation under Phase II is the establishment of a Biomedical Innovation Park that will enable students, researchers and private companies to design, test and produce health technologies that respond to local and regional needs.
The wider community will benefit in important ways. Hospitals and clinics will gain access to locally trained specialists who can install, maintain and repair medical equipment, reducing delays in treatment and reliance on imported technicians and solutions, and ultimately lowering the cost of healthcare services.
Communities in rural and urban areas are expected to enjoy expanded access to quality healthcare. Digital health tools and telemedicine will make it easier to reach patients who live far from major hospitals. Over time, improved skills and technology will support better diagnosis, safer treatment and stronger health services across the country.
During its construction phase, the project will generate hundreds of short-term jobs, mainly for young people. In the long term, it is expected to support new health technology businesses and attract research funding, thus helping to create skilled jobs and stimulate innovation.
"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 09 January, the project will now be implemented by the Government of Rwanda through the University of Rwanda and will run through 2030. It aligns with Rwanda's long-term vision to build a knowledge-driven economy and a resilient, inclusive health system.
