The proposal was presented during a high-level symposium held in Kigali on June 19, where government officials, fashion industry stakeholders, and university representatives toured the future campus facilities.

The institution is currently undergoing accreditation in Rwanda and the United States before launching degree programmes in fashion design and fashion merchandising.

Officials said the initiative aims to bridge the gap between creativity and business by training students in design, merchandising, branding, and fashion marketing. They noted that while Africa's creative economy is valued at more than $58 billion, the continent remains underrepresented in the global fashion industry, currently worth about $1.8 trillion and projected to reach $2.3 trillion by 2030.

The proposed school is intended to help address shortages in specialized training, infrastructure, and industry support that have limited Africa's participation in the sector.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Trade and Industry Antoine Kajangwe said the project aligns with Rwanda's ambition to develop a competitive textile and garment industry capable of serving regional and global markets.

"As we continue our industrialization drive, skills development will be a very important component of that process," Kajangwe said, adding that the programmes will help develop strong Made-in-Rwanda fashion brands.

Kent State University's Vice President for Global Education, Marcello Fantoni,
said Rwanda was selected after extensive research across Africa because of its strong investment in education and human capital development.

"We are not coming here to teach Rwandans how to do fashion. Rather, we are here to help Rwandans teach the world how they do fashion," Fantoni said.

The proposed university also plans to incorporate African textile history and trade routes into its curriculum while maintaining international academic standards.

According to officials, graduates will receive qualifications equivalent to those awarded by Kent State University in the United States. Discussions are also underway with Rwanda's Ministry of Education to facilitate sponsorship opportunities and preferential tuition arrangements for eligible students.

The university says the project is expected to support job creation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and talent development while positioning Rwanda as an emerging hub for fashion, textiles, and the broader creative economy.