Rwanda Launches First AI Scaling Hub in Africa, in Partnership with Gates Foundation

Rwanda has taken a decisive step toward becoming a continental AI powerhouse with the official launch of the Rwanda Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub, a pioneering initiative announced during the Global AI Summit on Africa, hosted in Kigali on April 3–4, 2025.
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. The agreement, signed by Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, and Dr. Trevor Mundel, President of Global Health at the Gates Foundation, lays the foundation for a transformative initiative centered on connectivity, impact and inclusion. The announcement marks a significant partnership between the Government of Rwanda and the Gates Foundation, aimed at fostering innovation and ethical AI deployment across Africa.

“We’re excited about this partnership with the Gates Foundation around the AI Scaling Hub,” said Hon. Paula Ingabire during the summit. “It is designed to be a platform where we can scale AI solutions—starting with three sectors: healthcare, agriculture, and education. The hub builds on ideas that have already been tested and proven effective, enabling them to scale not only in Rwanda but across the continent.”Importantly, the initiative places a strong emphasis on ethical, inclusive, and sustainable deployment of AI technologies. The hub aims not only to deliver innovation, but to ensure it benefits all members of society, particularly underserved communities. 

The Gates Foundation has committed up to $7.5 million over the next three years to support the initiative. According to the Foundation, this is just the beginning. Conversations are already underway to plan similar AI hubs in other African countries, including Senegal, Kenya, and Nigeria.

Dr. Trevor Mundel highlighted the broader vision behind the investment: “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 the continent, 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 AI future.

The Global AI Summit on Africa brought together policymakers, tech leaders, researchers, and innovators from across the continent and beyond, projecting Rwanda’s growing role as a tech and innovation hub on the African continent.