Education as an Investment Sector in Rwanda
Schools
| Level | Learners | Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-primary | 683,234 | 4,221 |
| Primary | 2,952,236 | 4,086 |
| General and professional secondary | 786,615 | 1,991 |
Public and government-aided schools teach most children. Private schools, including international schools in Kigali, serve families who pay fees.
Higher education
In 2024/25 Rwanda had 39 higher learning institutions: 3 public and 36 private, with 153,318 students. The University of Rwanda is the only public university. International institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University Africa and the African Leadership University teach in Kigali, and the University of Global Health Equity is in Butaro.
Education added RWF 741 billion to GDP in 2025, 3.2% of the total, and grew 5%.
The plan to 2029
The Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) 2024–2029 aims to raise the quality of teaching, widen access to pre-primary and secondary school, and match skills to the labour market. Technical and vocational training is a priority, and the network had grown to 542 TVET schools by 2024.
Where investors fit in
- Private and international schools in Kigali and the secondary cities.
- Universities and branch campuses, especially in health, engineering and ICT.
- TVET colleges and industry training linked to employers.
- Education technology, digital content and e-learning.
- Student housing near university campuses.
Schools are accredited through the Ministry of Education and its agencies, and higher learning institutions by the Higher Education Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many learners are in Rwandan schools?
About 4.4 million in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools.
Is higher education mainly public or private?
Mainly private: 36 of the 39 higher learning institutions are private. They had 153,318 students in 2024/25.
Which international universities teach in Rwanda?
Carnegie Mellon University Africa and the African Leadership University in Kigali, and the University of Global Health Equity in Butaro.
How many TVET schools are there?
542 by 2024. Technical and vocational training is a priority of the Education Sector Strategic Plan 2024–2029.
Sources
- Ministry of Education: Basic education
- Ministry of Education: Education Statistical Yearbook 2024–2025
- Ministry of Education: Education Sector Strategic Plan 2024–2029
- National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda: GDP national accounts, second quarter of 2026, tables
- National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda: GDP national accounts 2025
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
