The partnership aims to modernise how students learn and how teachers prepare lessons, starting with a large-scale pilot in Rwanda.

The programme builds on an earlier rollout among ALX learners across the continent. That first test phase recorded over 1,100 conversations and more than 4,000 interactions in just two days, a sign of early appetite for the tool. 

The partners are now changing their attention to Rwanda’s public education system, where thousands of teachers, lecturers and selected civil servants will be provided with digital training designed to strengthen lesson planning, stimulate curiosity and raise teaching standards.

The core idea is instead of simply giving answers, Chidi guides users through questions that encourage deeper thinking. Teachers can use it to refine lesson structure or spark new classroom discussions, while students gain round-the-clock access to support that helps them reason through problems at their own pace.

Under the second phase of the programme, up to 2,000 Rwandan educators will take part in ALX’s AI Career Essentials training. Participants will receive hands-on exposure to tools provided through Anthropic’s Claude platform, along with a year’s access to Claude Pro, Claude Code and additional education-focused features once they complete the pilot.

A joint working group drawn from ALX, Anthropic and Rwanda’s government will track the outcomes. Their findings will help build Rwanda’s national direction on technology in education, including the development of future tools such as Chidi for Schools and potential models suited to African languages.

Beyond the classroom impact, the collaboration aims to strengthen Rwanda’s long-term technical readiness. Several ministries are providing policy support, access to institutions and a framework to scale the initiative without taking on financial obligations.

The partners view this as a model that can be adopted by neighbouring countries. Rwanda is effectively serving as the first testing ground for a system designed to support both teaching and public-sector work, while enabling Africa to develop solutions that match global standards.

Fred Swaniker, ALX’s founder and CEO, noted the vision of the programme. 

“This collaboration marks a bold step in redefining how African talent learns, works, and leads in the age of AI,” he said. “Through our partnership with Anthropic and the Government of Rwanda, we are ensuring that Africa’s youth are not just consumers of AI, but creators, shaping the innovations that will define the global economy.”

The initiative supports Rwanda’s goal of building a workforce prepared for future industries, while giving African students and educators access to tools typically concentrated in global tech hubs. 

The partners intend to expand the programme once the pilot concludes and the impact becomes measurable.

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.

The summit, which drew industry leaders, airlines, regulators, and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) from across the continent, provided a platform for Aero to demonstrate how its MRO division is positioning itself as a trusted partner for airlines seeking efficient, reliable, and Africa-based maintenance solutions.

According to Engr. James Ominyi, head of the Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) Division at Aero Contractors, the exhibition generated strong interest from both regional and international operators.

“Our improved capabilities and ongoing upgrades are attracting significant attention from airlines looking to reduce costs and turnaround times by carrying out their heavy maintenance checks within Africa,” Ominyi said.

The Aero Contractors delegation was led by senior management, including the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Charles Grant; Head AMO, Engr. James Ominyi; Technical Director, Engr. Emmanuel Adeyeye; GM Rotary Wing, Engr. Garba Mouktar; and MRO Business Development Manager, Mr. Adeyemi Adewojo.

It is worthy to note that Aero’s recent achievements receive the full support of the leadership of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), who have continuously demonstrated its commitment to resolving its aviation portfolio through strategic engagement and to supporting Aero in scaling its MRO services as a continental hub.

Aero’s Lagos-based MRO is one of the most advanced facilities in West and Central Africa and with capabilities covering:

* Line and Base Maintenance for Boeing 737 Classic and NGs, as well as regional jets and turboprops.

* Helicopter Maintenance for both scheduled and unscheduled checks, including the AW139 and other rotary platforms.

* Robust Workshops – including wheels and brakes, batteries, upholstery, structural repairs, and avionics, currently being upgraded in line with international standards and preparation for EASA certification.

The facility is certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and further endorsed by several international regulators, including the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Mongolian Civil Aviation Authority, and Senegalese Civil Aviation Authority, among others.

These approvals underscore Aero’s compliance with global aviation standards and its credibility with both African and non-African operators.

Aero MRO has delivered services to both domestic and regional airlines. Its base maintenance clients include PassionAir of Ghana, Transair of Senegal, and many Nigerian carriers, alongside line maintenance support for Royal Air Maroc. Its rotary-wing MRO has also supported offshore oil and gas operators, underscoring Aero’s versatility and technical expertise.

“With over six decades of aviation heritage, Aero is building on its legacy to serve the next generation of African operators,” said Charles Grant, chief financial officer of Aero Contractors, adding that “Our upgraded MRO is a clear signal that Africa has the expertise and infrastructure to sustain its aviation industry locally, while saving costs, creating jobs, and retaining value on the continent.”

For this clean cooking roll-out, Bboxx is providing its own technology, the Smart Cooking Valve, which sits on top of the LPG cylinder, and TotalEnergies will provide the cylinders and gas. 

The Smart Cooking Valve, launched in August 2023, is a device that revolutionises gas usage; it locks onto the LPG cylinder and digitally controls customers’ gas access based on their mobile money payments, enabling a pay-as-you-cook financing model. 

Few households can afford an entire gas refill in one payment, so this flexible payment system allows customers to pay for their day-to-day gas usage and reap the economic and health advantages by switching from traditional cooking methods like charcoal to more affordable and less polluting LPG.

The initial test phase of the pilot programme demonstrated great demand for the PAYGo kit, with higher than usual cylinder rotation. The partnership model enables universal clean cooking access, with TotalEnergies Marketing Rwanda financing the cylinder and gas for customers, and Bboxx ensuring collection payments. 

This provides financial flexibility for the customer and expands the LPG offering to a wider market. This partnership creates a brand-new clean cooking business model which has the potential to scale across the entire continent – Bboxx and TotalEnergies Marketing Rwanda plan to reach 1 million people over the next 5 years by providing cylinders with Smart Cooking Valves.

Mansoor Hamayun, co-founder and chief executive officer, Bboxx, said: “Pursuing clean cooking expansion is a huge part of Bboxx’s mission to bring essential products and services to underserved communities and we are both honoured and excited to embark on this clean cooking deployment with TotalEnergies Marketing Rwanda. 

Bboxx is building on the release of the Smart Cooking Valve last year and applying its PAYGO model to the existing clean cooking industry, enabling us to extend access to more families. When we look at the bigger picture, access to clean cooking facilities leads to more lives saved.”

Ronan Masseron, TotalEnergies country chair and managing director in Rwanda, said: “Through partnership and innovation, Bboxx and TotalEnergies Marketing Rwanda are lighting the path towards clean cooking access in Rwanda and beyond. By combining Bboxx’s pioneering technology with TotalEnergies’ commitment to sustainability, we’re not just providing LPG cylinders, we’re delivering economic empowerment and health benefits to thousands.”

The partnership of Bboxx with TotalEnergies Marketing Rwanda marks an important development in the clean cooking space. 

Currently, 2.4 billion people still rely on traditional cooking methods, which often leads to harmful health effects, often with fatal consequences, particularly for women and children. 

The success of this partnership and clean cooking deployment would demonstrate that there is scope for more LPG units to expand across the continent using this business model.

The program that was initiated in Ngoma District in the Eastern Province of Rwanda will provide 20,000 Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA tests for local women, aiming to enhance cervical cancer screening and prevention efforts and improve local precision medical testing capabilities.

The launching event was attended by Wang Xuekun, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda; Mr. Pudence Rubingisa, Governor of Eastern Province; Nathalie Niyonagira, the Mayor of Ngoma District, Rwanda; Dr. Albert Tuyishime, Head of Department, (HDPC) HIV/AIDS Diseases Prevention and Control, RBC; Dr. Theoneste Maniragaba, Director of the Cancer Diseases Unit at the RBC; Dr. Du Yutao, Chief Operating Officer of BGI Genomics; and Gao Zhiqiang, Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, among others.

Wang Xuekun, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, stated: “BGI Genomics is a leading enterprise in the genomic industry, both in China and globally. The company has significantly contributed to promoting the friendship between China and Rwanda and advancing Rwanda’s medical and health industry.”

Mr. Pudence Rubingisa, Governor of Eastern Province, commented, “We deeply appreciate our collaboration with BGI Genomics and other partners. As we initiate this project, we are dedicated to leveraging all available resources, including our local health workers and agencies, to facilitate effective screening, awareness, and educational efforts. This initiative is pivotal for enhancing the well-being of our community.”

Dr. Albert Tuyishime, Head of the HIV/AIDS Disease Prevention and Control Department at RBC, remarked,

“Cervical cancer is a major global challenge, particularly in developing countries with limited treatment options. Rwanda aims to lead the way in achieving the global cervical cancer elimination goals. We value our collaboration with BGI Genomics, which has enhanced screening services in the Ngoma district, and look forward to extending these services across the country.”

As Rwanda’s public health implementation agency, the RBC is committed to enhancing the local public health through scientific research, diagnostic services, and innovative healthcare interventions.

For this initiative, BGI Genomics provides a comprehensive solution comprising laboratory equipment and technology transfer, while all project samples and testing data are handled by Rwanda’s personnel and stored locally under local laws and regulations.

The company will also assist in further upgrading the local closed-loop management system from cervical cancer screening to positive intervention, significantly enhancing Rwanda’s healthcare infrastructure.

The Chinese medical team assisting Rwanda provides support for the implementation of the cervical cancer screening project, and the team’s leader Zhang Heping also attended the launching ceremony.

Cervical cancer ranks as the second most prevalent cancer among women in Rwanda. According to data from the Rwanda Health Management Information System (HMIS), only 24% of eligible women in Rwanda have undergone cervical cancer screening in the past five years.

According to the WHO guideline for screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions for cervical cancer prevention, HPV DNA testing, with an accuracy rate of up to 95%, are the first-choice screening method for cervical cancer screening. A self-sampling model is recommended, whereby women collect their test samples, followed by centralized testing.

“In China, HPV DNA testing technology has been applied in many large-scale public health service programs and achieved remarkable results. We hope that cervical cancer screening can leverage BGI Genomics technology and self-sampling model in countries worldwide and help accelerate the goal of eliminating cervical cancer worldwide,” said Dr. Du Yutao, Chief Operating Officer of BGI Genomics.

BGI Genomics self-developed HPV DNA testing products are suitable for large-scale population screening and precise HPV genotyping.

A single test can screen for the 14 high-risk HPV types highly correlated with the occurrence of cervical cancer as per WHO guidelines and is validated by large-scale clinical data to be suitable for self-sampling.

A self-sampling model requires only a few medical staff to facilitate the rapid collection of many samples, which significantly enhances accessibility and effectively enables screening to cover areas with limited medical resources.

Notably, this approach offers considerable advantages in remote regions of developing countries where cold chain logistics are inadequate, as it minimizes the necessity for advanced transportation and storage infrastructure. The ease of use, convenience, and privacy will further enhance screening coverage.

In the future, BGI Genomics plans to deliver advanced genetic testing technologies for reproductive health, tumor screening, and the prevention and control of infectious diseases in Rwanda.

This will promote the overall capacity and efficacy of precision medicine and help upgrade the local medical and healthcare systems.

[Featured Image Credit]