During the Global AI Summit on Africa, in Kigali, Rwanda, 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 Artificial 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 US$7.5 million (approx.RWF10.77 billion, UGX27.32 billion) 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.
“We’re excited about this partnership with the Gates Foundation around the Al Scaling Hub, designed to be a platform where we can scale Al solutions-starting with three sectors: healthcare, agriculture, and education,” Ingabire said, speaking on the significance of the partnership. “The partnership builds on ideas that have already been tested and proven effective, enabling them to scale not only in Rwanda but across Africa.”
Dr. Trevor Mundel noted, “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 Africa, 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 artificial intelligence future.
