Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) has launched Canon Academy Rwanda, a new initiative designed to provide photographers and videographers with practical, hands-on training.
The workshops, held in partnership with the Kigali Centre for Photography, will take place from October 27–29, 2025, at the Institut Français in Kigali as part of the Kigali Visual Encounters Festival.
The Canon Academy brings a direct, skills-based approach to photography education, moving beyond theory to practical mastery.
It is Canon’s latest investment in nurturing Africa’s creative industries, with a goal to empower young professionals to transform passion into sustainable livelihoods.
According to Rashad Ghani, B2C business unit director at Canon Central and North Africa, “Through the Canon Academy, we’re expanding our reach and impact by making photography training accessible to our customers in Rwanda.
“This collaboration with the Kigali Centre for Photography for the Kigali Visual Encounters Festival represents our commitment to equipping young people and communities with the skills, inspiration, and opportunities they need to succeed in the creative economy.
“It is also a reflection of Canon’s strategic approach to shape Africa’s future through education and innovation.”
Unlike traditional seminars, the Academy’s structure focuses on experiential learning. Participants will receive guided instruction from certified Canon trainers, with each session adapted to different experience levels, from first-time camera users to professionals seeking advanced techniques.
Workshops will cover essential concepts such as composition, lighting, and exposure, followed by outdoor sessions like street photography exercises.
Attendees will work with Canon’s latest mirrorless and DSLR systems, including the R50, R100, R10, and R8, testing the technology in real-world environments.
The hands-on sessions will culminate in the Canon Academy Hangout, where participants will showcase their work, network, and receive formal certification.
Leading the sessions are Jacques Nkinzingabo, founder of the Kigali Centre for Photography, and Raul Gabat, Canon’s business development manager.
Together, they will guide participants through the creative and technical aspects of storytelling through images.
Nkinzingabo said, “The Kigali Centre for Photography serves as a learning and creative space dedicated to advancing photography, visual culture, and artistic practices in Rwanda. The first and only of its kind in Kigali City, it has positioned itself as a hub of creative learning and cultural exchange.
“Through the Kigali Visual Encounters 2025, and in collaboration with Canon, it provides an inclusive, meaningful, and community-driven platform for development.”
Since its inception, Canon Academy has trained over 2,200 students across Africa. The expansion into Rwanda represents a new learning opportunity and also a commendable move to strengthen the region’s creative economy.
Through this initiative, Canon aims to cultivate a new generation of storytellers, individuals who can capture Africa’s realities and ambitions through powerful visual narratives.
Investing in people and education, Canon is aligning with its Kyosei philosophy: “Living and Working Together for the Common Good.” In Kigali, that philosophy takes on a new form, blending artistry, technology, and opportunity to build a stronger creative future.
