The project is a five-year sovereign investment worth US$ 26.6 million to build a skilled workforce to meet national and international aviation training standards and industry demand.

Specifically, the project will aim to improve institutional capacities to deliver high quality training through accreditation and certification with international accrediting bodies such as EASA.

It will also aim to increase the pool of domestic certified aviation experts through quality training that meets international standards and enhance institutional capacities and frameworks of training as recommended by global aviation best practices.

The project is designed with the development aspirations of Rwanda’s National Vision 2050 which underpins the need for core skills and competencies as a prerequisite for the country to become an upper middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050.

Furthermore, the project will contribute to the African Union Agenda 2063, specifically Goal 2 that envisages an Africa with well educated citizens and skills revolution underpinned by science, technology, and innovation.

Commenting on the project, AfDB Country Manager Aissa Touré said: “Centre of Excellence for Aviation Skills is anchored on the Bank’s Rwanda Country Strategy Paper, CSP (2022-2026) and aligned with priority area 2 which is geared at improving skills and financial capabilities to foster private sector and productivity-led growth. The project further contributes to the attainment of SDG9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure."

RDB Chief Executive Officer Francis Gatare also remarked that the unique investment will usher in a new era of opportunity and progress for Rwanda’s aviation sector.

"By establishing a cutting-edge center of excellence, we are not only building infrastructure; we are nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and charting a course towards sustainable development. We are optimistic the center will position Rwanda as a beacon of excellence in the skies of Africa and beyond, propelling the economy to new heights,” he noted.

About AfDB

Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

About RDB

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is a government agency in Rwanda with a vision to transform Rwanda into a dynamic global hub for business, investment, and innovation. Its mission is to fast-track economic development in Rwanda by enabling private sector growth.

An artist’s impression of the Centre of Excellence for Aviation Skills (CEAS) to be set up in Kigali. The facility including an aircraft hangar, will partner with higher learning institutions to produce a skilled workforce to meet global aviation training standards and industry demands.