A national center of excellence in cybersecurity and data protection was inaugurated in Kigali on Thursday, October 2. Government officials and partners referred to it as a significant step in developing the country's talent base and enhancing resilience against increasing digital threats. ALSO READ: Govt establishes cybersecurity academy to combat tech threats The CyberHub, located at the University of Rwanda's College of Science and Technology, is equipped with advanced computers provided by Cisco, an American multinational company, and other collaborators. It will function as both a training facility and an innovation hub for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. During the launch, Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation, stated that the CyberHub goes beyond just defending against cyber risks. "When we invest in cybersecurity, it's not only about defense. We are creating jobs, we are creating services, we are creating startups," Ingabire mentioned. "Our metrics will not be how many people we train. Our metrics will be how the industry is growing, and how resilient our systems are." Last month, the government introduced a flagship initiative called "Positioning Rwanda as a Regional Digital Entrepreneurship Hub," which aims to support local startups and entrepreneurship support organizations (ESOs) with strategic guidance and financial assistance. ALSO READ: Cyber defense forum in Kigali outlines Africa's role in the digital future Why it matters As cyber threats become more complex, officials and partners agreed that the CyberHub will not only strengthen Rwanda's defenses but also open up opportunities in a rapidly expanding global industry. "This is not something we're building just for the government," Ingabire said. "It's for the private sector, academia, and entrepreneurs who can turn skills into successful businesses." ALSO READ: Experts advise online caution as 'first defense' Ingabire emphasized that people remain the weakest link in digital security, highlighting the hub's focus on human capital. Rwanda plans to train 200 specialists through the center in the short term, while also working towards broader national goals, including 500,000 ICT professionals within five years. A representative from Cisco, the main technology partner, described the CyberHub as one of their key projects under its global Country Digital Acceleration program. "At Cisco, we believe in the power of technology to connect, secure, and transform lives," said Dima Kandelhaft, Senior Director. "This hub will directly address the skills gap and build future-ready talent capable of working with AI in a safe and secure environment." Cisco has been collaborating with Rwanda since 2009, after receiving a partnership award from the Rwanda Development Board in recognition of its outstanding capacity building efforts in collaboration with Cisco IT initiatives. Through its long-standing Networking Academy, over 28,000 Rwandans, 30 percent of whom are women, have been trained. The new center is expected to increase these numbers while providing practical access to cutting-edge cybersecurity tools. ALSO READ: Inside Rwanda’s plan to accelerate digital transformation by 2026 David Kanamugire, CEO of the National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA), stated that the hub is a response to Rwanda's pressing challenge of building credible security for its digital future. "At this center, students will have access to some of the world's best technologies to gain hands-on skills in cybersecurity," Kanamugire said. "Our hope is that graduates from here will address the skills shortage in Rwanda and beyond, while also driving innovation in the sector." Alongside the officials, IT experts demonstrated how the technology would work. Joel Kashaija, CEO of Shield Tech Hub, explained that one of their key innovations—Threat Informant—monitors dark web markets for leaked data, alerting clients before breaches cause damage. "Rwanda is a country that is heavily digitized, so these threats are going to keep rising," Kashaija told The New Times. "That's why proactive solutions and training are critical not just for companies here, but also for the international partners we work with." He noted that their role is to train NCSA's partners, including students and corporate IT professionals, with the goal of equipping them with practical, hands-on knowledge that will help them succeed in their careers and excel in their job positions.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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