Rwanda Becomes Africa’s First AI Scaling Hub With $17.5 Million Boost From Gates Foundation

Rwanda is set to become Africa’s leading destination for artificial intelligence (AI) development following a $17.5 million (Rwf25 billion) investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish the Rwanda AI Scaling Hub.

The initiative, scheduled to launch next year, aims to accelerate the creation and deployment of AI-driven solutions across healthcare, education, and agriculture, focusing on innovations tailored to African realities.

The announcement was made by Yves Iradukunda, Minister of State in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, during a briefing with senators in Kigali last week. He noted that the new commitment represents more than double the initial $7.5 million pledged earlier this year by the foundation.

“This is a project that will continue to grow, and its budget will increase over time. We appreciate the partnership with the Gates Foundation,” Iradukunda said.

The Rwanda AI Scaling Hub forms part of a broader continental initiative introduced at the Global AI Summit on Africa in April 2025, which announced four regional hubs to advance responsible AI across the continent. Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), under the ICT ministry, has been selected to host the first.

AI Solutions for Africa’s Challenges
The Hub’s primary goal is to develop and deploy AI tools that address pressing African challenges – from healthcare shortages to agricultural inefficiencies — particularly targeting underserved communities.

Key projects under the initiative include:

• AI-Powered Telemedicine: In collaboration with Irembo, Rwanda plans to introduce an AI-driven remote healthcare system that works via SMS, chat, and voice in Kinyarwanda, allowing patients to consult doctors and receive digital prescriptions. The system will use an AI triage tool to analyse symptoms and guide patients to suitable care.
• AI-Driven Health Supply Chain: The Rwanda Medical Supply (RMS) agency will use AI for demand forecasting and procurement, reducing costs and preventing drug shortages through real-time supplier monitoring.
• AI-Enabled Ultrasound Imaging: Midwives and nurses will be equipped with AI-assisted ultrasound devices to detect early pregnancy complications, improving maternal health outcomes in rural areas.
• AI-Powered Agriculture Advisory: Farmers, especially women and youth, will receive real-time advice on crop health, soil quality, and pest control through WhatsApp, SMS, and voice platforms, promoting climate-smart farming and productivity.
• AI-Based Learning Assessments: An AI tool for primary schools will automate grading for English and mathematics by analysing uploaded photos of students’ answer sheets, allowing teachers to deliver personalised feedback and improve learning outcomes.
• “AI can help bridge the teacher-student gap by offering personalised learning support, especially in overcrowded classrooms,” Iradukunda added.

Building Inclusive Innovation

Beyond technological deployment, the Hub will serve as a launchpad for local startups, offering funding, mentorship, and access to computing resources. It will also shape ethical AI policies to ensure inclusivity and responsible innovation across both public and private sectors.

By hosting Africa’s first AI Scaling Hub, Rwanda is positioning itself not only as a regional technology leader but also as a pan-African hub for responsible AI development.

As global focus sharpens on Africa’s digital future, Rwanda’s bold investment in AI signals a major step toward a future where technology directly addresses the continent’s most critical needs – from classrooms and clinics to farms and communities.