AfDB Backs Rwanda Project to Train 470 Health Specialists and Boost Digital Health Innovation

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved $29.85 million in financing to expand Rwanda’s Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and e‑Health Project (Phase II) in Kigali Innovation City. This support aims to build future-ready healthcare skills and strengthen the country’s health system by training specialists and enhancing digital health services.

Investing in Health Skills and Innovation

Phase II of the project builds on earlier efforts to develop Rwanda’s capacity in biomedical engineering, rehabilitation science, and digital health. The funding includes $24.64 million from the African Development Fund, AfDB’s concessional lending arm, and $5.21 million from the Bank itself, with the Government of Rwanda covering the remainder.

The initiative will directly train 470 students at both bachelor’s and master’s levels, primarily from Rwanda and other East African Community countries. In addition to student training, the project will support University of Rwanda academic staff with PhD and post‑doctoral training to maintain high-quality teaching and research.

Building Facilities and Supporting Research

The project will expand the Centre of Excellence by enhancing academic programmes, strengthening links with the private sector, constructing modern laboratories and facilities, and procuring advanced equipment to support cutting-edge learning and research. A Biomedical Innovation Park will also be established to enable students, researchers, and companies to design and test health technologies that respond to local and regional needs.

Collaboration with international institutions, curriculum reform, and accreditation efforts aim to ensure that training remains relevant and globally competitive. Regional integration will also be advanced through faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, and entrepreneurship support programmes.

Impact on Healthcare and Communities

Locally trained specialists are expected to reduce reliance on foreign technicians for medical equipment installation, maintenance, and repair, helping lower healthcare costs and improve service delivery. The expanded digital health and telemedicine tools will make it easier for patients in rural and urban areas to access quality healthcare, ultimately improving diagnosis, treatment safety, and overall health outcomes across Rwanda.

Additionally, the project’s construction phase is set to create hundreds of short-term jobs, and in the long term, it is expected to foster skilled employment and support new health technology businesses.

Read more: Official Announcement