Rwandan Students Use Robotics to Preserve National Heritage

Rwanda on Saturday, 21st February 2026 hosted the 4th National Robotics Championship alongside the 3rd AI Ideathon, bringing together secondary school students from across the country to demonstrate practical skills in robotics, programming, and artificial intelligence.

The event was held at the Kigali Convention Centre and attracted more than 500 students representing schools from all 30 districts. The championship is part of Rwanda’s broader efforts to strengthen STEM education and encourage problem-solving through hands-on learning.

Focus on skills, not theory

Unlike classroom-based assessments, the championship required students to work in teams, test ideas under time pressure, and explain their solutions to judges. Teams were supported by mentors and teachers, helping them translate classroom knowledge into working systems.

Judging focused on technical accuracy, creativity, teamwork, and clarity of explanation, rather than presentation alone.

Two tracks

The championship featured two main tracks.

• The Robotics Track: Based on the FIRST LEGO League, challenged teams to design and program robots capable of completing specific missions. This year’s theme, “Unearthed,” explored how technology can support archaeology and heritage preservation. Teams were evaluated on robot performance, design logic, strategy, and collaboration.
• The AI Ideathon Track: Focused on software-based solutions using artificial intelligence. Under the theme “Eco-Innovators,” students developed AI concepts addressing challenges related to water, energy, waste management, and sustainability.

AquaFlow wins AI Ideathon

The top award in the AI Ideathon went to AquaFlow, developed by students from Rwanda Coding Academy.

AquaFlow is a system designed to improve communication around water supply interruptions. It provides alerts on planned maintenance and unexpected outages through SMS and mobile notifications. The system also analyses data from sensors to detect leaks and unusual water usage patterns.

According to the team, the goal is to help households and service providers respond faster to water disruptions and reduce losses caused by unnoticed leaks.

DeepTrace tops robotics category

In the robotics category, Hope Haven Christian Secondary School took first place with DeepTrace, a project combining a drone and a ground-based robot to support archaeological exploration.

The drone scans the ground to identify areas of interest, while the robot is used to examine selected locations carefully. The approach aims to reduce unnecessary digging and protect historical artifacts during exploration.

Other winning teams

In the robotics track, Maranyundo Girls School placed second, followed by ES Stella Matutina in third place.

In the AI Ideathon, Solsense from College de Gisenyi Inyemeramihigo took second place with a solar energy optimisation project, while Ecoloop, also from Rwanda Coding Academy, finished third with a waste-to-energy solution.

Supporting Rwanda’s digital goals

Organisers said the championship aligns with national programmes aimed at building digital skills among young people and preparing them for future careers in science, engineering, and technology.

Beyond competition, the event provided students with experience in teamwork, critical thinking, and applied innovation, skills increasingly important in Rwanda’s growing digital economy.