Press Release

New Rwanda AI Scaling Hub Announced at Global AI Summit on Africa

Kigali, Rwanda, 4 April 2025

Kigali, Rwanda – April 4, 2025 — During the Global AI Summit on Africa, held in Kigali on April 3–4, the Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, and the Gates Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Rwanda Artifi cial Intelligence Scaling Hub. This initiative aims to accelerate the development and responsible deployment of AI technologies in Rwanda and across the continent.

The MoU was signed by Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, and Dr. Trevor Mundel, President of Global Health at the Gates Foundation.

Hosted by the Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Rwanda), the Rwanda AI Scaling Hub will serve as a central platform to identify, develop, and scale high-impact AI solutions that address critical national and regional challenges. The hub will also ensure these technologies are deployed ethically, inclusively, and sustainably.

Through this MoU, the Gates Foundation is pledging up to $7.5 million over the next three years to support the scale-up of AI innovation in Rwanda, with conversations ongoing around planning for similar hubs in countries including Senegal, Kenya, and Nigeria.

Speaking on the signifi cance of the partnership, Hon. Paula Ingabire said: "We’re excited about this partnership with the Gates Foundation around the AI Scaling Hub, designed to be a platform where we can scale AI solutions—starting with three sectors: healthcare, agriculture, and education." She added that the partnership builds on ideas that have already been tested and proven effective, enabling them to scale not only in Rwanda but across the continent.

Dr. Trevor Mundel commented: "The Gates Foundation is proud to support the launch of the first AI Scaling Hub, in partnership with the Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Government of Rwanda. We look forward to continuing this effort with partners across the continent, working together to break down barriers to scale and help move promising AI innovation to impact."

This MoU underscores a shared commitment to building African-led AI ecosystems. It sets the stage for broader regional collaboration in shaping Africa’s AI future.