Rwanda is strengthening cooperation between its cybersecurity training institutions and telecommunications companies to address the shortage of qualified professionals. On October 22, the National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA) signed agreements with MTN Rwanda and Airtel Rwanda to better prepare students for the needs of the digital economy.
Through these partnerships, both operators will support practical training and provide internship opportunities for students and graduates from CyberHub, Rwanda’s national cybersecurity training centre. MTN Rwanda will also help adapt training programmes to the skills employers require. Meanwhile, Airtel Rwanda will offer internships in networking, information technology, enterprise solutions and mobile financial services.
Expanding cybersecurity training
Launched in October 2025, CyberHub operates at the University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology in Kigali. The centre aims to train up to 200 participants annually, with women expected to represent at least 30% of learners.
Furthermore, in September 2026, 24 technical and vocational education teachers completed a ten-day specialised training programme. The initiative involved the NCSA, the Rwanda TVET Board and the International Labour Organization.
These efforts respond to concerns raised by industry professionals about the limited number of highly qualified cybersecurity specialists. During a conference in Kigali on October 5 and 6, representatives of the ISACA Rwanda Chapter highlighted the shortage of professionals holding advanced cybersecurity qualifications. However, no official figure has established the exact scale of the national skills gap.
Supporting Rwanda’s digital security strategy
Finally, the partnerships support Rwanda’s 2024–2029 National Cybersecurity Strategy, which prioritizes skills development, specialized education and public-private cooperation. By involving MTN Rwanda and Airtel Rwanda, the NCSA aims to connect training more closely with workplace demands and strengthen the country’s capacity to protect digital networks and services.
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