FEATURE
Jeanine Uwiringiyimana: When people hear IT support, they picture someone fixing a machine. We do that, but that is not all. What we do every single day is keep people moving. In high-pressure moments, when teams cannot access the tools they rely on, we are the people they turn to. In those moments, the technical fix is only part of the solution. The other part is communicating clearly and helping people feel supported while the issue is being resolved. That takes emotional intelligence, not just technical knowledge. Our role is not always visible, but when it is done well, the entire organisation runs smoothly and most people never even notice. That invisibility, in a strange way, is often the measure of how well we are doing.
Donah Kayiranga: A key part of the role is identifying and addressing issues before they become larger operational or security concerns. This includes monitoring systems, managing updates, maintaining compliance with security policies and supporting users through technical challenges. Beyond the technical side, the role also requires strong communication and empathy because we often translate complex technical issues into solutions that users can clearly understand. People rarely think about the systems behind their work until something fails but maintaining that reliability takes continuous attention and responsibility.
How strong is the current pipeline for IT and cybersecurity talent in Rwanda, and where are the biggest gaps?
Emily Makurumidze: Rwanda’ s growing IT and cybersecurity talent is supported by the country’ s continued focus on Digital Transformation, innovation and technology skills development. From my experience working in IT in Rwanda, I see great potential in the young talent entering the field. I have worked with and supported young professionals who are eager to learn, adaptable and genuinely interested in building careers in technology. That willingness to grow is a real strength and gives me confidence in Rwanda’ s future digital workforce. What will make the biggest difference now is continued investment in mentorship, exposure and opportunities for young professionals to apply their skills in fast-moving work environments.
Teckla Giramata: Rwanda’ s IT and cybersecurity talent pipeline is growing steadily, which is encouraging. There is increased interest in technology, more training opportunities and a strong national focus on Digital Transformation. More young people are exploring careers in IT, which is creating a strong foundation for the future. At the same time, many young professionals still need more opportunities to build confidence through exposure to real working environments. Technical knowledge is important, but mentorship, industry experience and practical learning play a big role in helping people feel prepared for the challenges of the field. Continued investment in these areas will help strengthen Rwanda’ s growing technology ecosystem even further.
Jeanine Uwiringiyimana: The digital sector grew 19 % in just the first quarter of 2025, making it the second-largest contributor to the country’ s GDP growth. Rwanda also achieved Tier 1 status in the ITU’ s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, scoring 98.08 out of 100, which shows that the framework and commitment are genuinely there. A new CyberHub from the National Cybersecurity Authority, is set to train 200 graduates a year, with at least 30 % of them being women, and I am proud to have been among their first cohort. What will strengthen the sector even further is deeper specialisation and more opportunities for young professionals to gain practical experience over time.
Rwanda has made impressive progress in building a pipeline for IT and cybersecurity talent.
Donah Kayiranga: Rwanda has made impressive progress in building a pipeline for IT and cybersecurity talent through government initiatives, partnerships with global technology organisations and a growing number of training programmes and institutions. Young people are increasingly exposed to digital skills early, creating a strong foundation for future talent. At the same time, there is still an opportunity to strengthen connections between training institutions and industry, so learners can gain more exposure to real operational environments. Areas such as cybersecurity, cloud computing and emerging technologies also require more advanced specialisation and continued investment. Expanding access to internships, mentorships and practical learning environments will help strengthen Rwanda’ s technology ecosystem while preparing the next generation of professionals for the evolving demands of the industry. •
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