Rwanda showcases TVET drive at National Skills Forum 2025

The Rwanda Skills Forum 2025 took place in Kigali in June 2025. The Forum was a high-level strategic platform bringing together industry leaders, educators, policymakers, and innovators through three flagship events:

• the WorldSkills Rwanda National Skills Competition
• TVET Expo 2025
• the Global Skills Connect 2025

The Competition itself brought together 94 talented young Competitors from 13 different skill areas. They were selected from technical secondary schools and different Colleges of the Rwanda Polytechnic spread across the country’s five provinces. They were supported by 87 Assessors and 13 Chief Experts. Organized by the Rwanda TVET Board in collaboration with Rwanda Polytechnic, as well as other key stakeholders, the Competition showcased the advancement of technical and vocational education in Rwanda.

By raising awareness of TVET and promoting its attractiveness, the National Skills Competition directly supported Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which targets 60% enrolment in basic TVET. It also reinforced Rwanda’s position as a regional leader in workforce development and skills competitiveness on the global stage. The event fostered strong engagement between industry and Competitors, creating tangible opportunities beyond the Competition itself. Several Competitors established direct connections with companies that recognized their practical, hands-on skills – leading to potential job offers and further collaborations.

In addition to employment prospects, industry partners expressed interest in awarding outstanding performers with prizes such as laptops and access to digital learning platforms. These gestures aim not only to reward excellence but also to support the broader digitization of TVET, empowering young professionals with the tools they need to grow in a modern, tech-driven workforce.

Delivering a keynote address at the Global Skills Connect 2025 conference, Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana highlighted the urgency of adapting to technological change.

“We live in an era of rapid change – AI, digitalization, and automation are redefining the workplace. Adapting to this new reality is urgent, and no country should be left behind. In Rwanda, we have placed TVET at the centre of our development agenda. Through models such as dual training and workplace learning, we are strengthening links with industry to ensure relevance and impact. We are also investing in TVET Centres of Excellence – modern institutions equipped with cutting-edge technology and tailored to meet the evolving needs of our economy,” he said.

The Global Skills Connect 2025 conference focused on practical solutions to close skills gaps in key sectors like construction, agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, and hospitality. It was accompanied by a vibrant TVET Expo, with 158 exhibitors from training institutions and the private sector.

The combined impact of the three events of the Rwanda Skills Forum 2025 reflected the country’s push to make TVET central to economic growth, job creation, and youth empowerment.

Recently announced as one of the first six Members of WorldSkills Africa, Rwanda has been an active supporter for the establishment of the regional skills movement. The country hosted the first pilot Competition in Kigali in 2018 and has consistently participated in regional competitions. A delegation also attended WorldSkills Lyon 2024 as part of the observer programme.