TestSolutions Rwanda has expanded the focus of its Academy in Kigali to include specialised services in software quality assurance and emerging technologies, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing an increasingly important role as Rwanda strengthens its position in the global digital economy.
The Academy hosted a discussion in Kigali on International Testing Day, bringing together government stakeholders, technology professionals, and industry players in Rwanda’s growing digital ecosystem.
Janis Just, International Lead at TestSolutions, said the Academy is already delivering services to organisations in Rwanda and international markets, with demand coming from IT departments seeking to strengthen their software quality and testing capabilities.
“We support companies of all sizes in strengthening the robustness and reliability of their software systems. Through the TestSolutions Academy, we help IT teams build the skills and structures they need to take greater ownership of their quality standards.”
The Academy’s client services include tailored training and capability development in software quality assurance, software testing, test automation and AI-related quality topics. This enables organisations to strengthen their internal capabilities while helping professionals develop skills aligned with internationally recognised standards.
The launch comes as AI is rapidly changing the way software is developed, tested and deployed, creating new opportunities but also increasing the demand for professionals who understand how to ensure that digital systems remain reliable, secure and fit for purpose.
Building specialised digital skills
TestSolutions Rwanda, the local arm of Germany-based TestSolutions GmbH, was established in Rwanda in 2022. The company specialises in software quality assurance for complex and highly regulated industries.
The company previously identified a shortage of specialised quality assurance professionals as one of the challenges facing Rwanda’s technology ecosystem.
That skills gap led to the creation of the TestSolutions Rwanda Academy, which is designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the practical skills required by employers.
The academy’s training covers areas including software testing, test automation, programming fundamentals and specialised domain knowledge, with internationally recognised professional certification forming an important component of the programme.
The academy has already graduated its first cohort, with 31 trainees completing an intensive six-month programme.
The graduates received practical training in software testing, automation and programming fundamentals, as well as aviation-domain knowledge, and earned the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certification.
Isabelle Bucyeyeneza, Managing Director of TestSolutions Rwanda, said the first graduation demonstrated Rwanda’s ability to produce professionals capable of meeting international standards.
“This graduation reflects Rwanda’s growing strength in producing globally competent QA professionals,” Bucyeyeneza said.
She said the academy is preparing local talent for industries such as aviation, financial technology and healthcare, where reliability and quality are critical.
AI reshaping software testing
The strong AI focus of the new academy comes at a time when artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into software development and quality assurance.
AI-powered tools can assist developers and testers in identifying defects, generating test cases, analysing large volumes of data and automating repetitive testing processes.
However, the growing use of AI also creates a need for professionals who can assess the reliability, security and performance of AI-enabled systems.
TestSolutions says the academy will therefore help position Rwandan professionals to participate in an evolving global technology market rather than limiting their skills to traditional software testing.
For Rwanda, the development of such specialised skills could also strengthen the country’s ambitions to expand digital services and create higher-value employment for its growing technology workforce.
From local training to global opportunities
The academy’s emphasis on internationally recognised qualifications is intended to ensure that graduates can compete beyond Rwanda’s borders.
Robert Ford, President of the Rwanda Software Testing Qualifications Board, said professional certification can give software testing specialists a common international standard and improve their employability.
He noted that quality assurance has become increasingly important as digital systems underpin sectors ranging from banking and healthcare to education and government services.
International certification can also provide a pathway into remote employment and cross-border digital services, potentially allowing Rwandan professionals to work for companies outside the country while remaining based in Rwanda.
Strengthening Rwanda’s technology ecosystem
The academy works with universities, companies and public institutions to expand access to specialised technology training.
TestSolutions Rwanda says partnerships will be important in ensuring that training responds to real industry needs and that graduates gain practical experience alongside classroom learning.
Christian Iradukunda, TestSolutions Academy Lead, said the programme was designed around practical application rather than theory alone.
“The target was to make it hands-on and ensure that the skills trainees learn translate directly into real working experience,” he said.
The approach is particularly relevant for sectors such as aviation, where software failures can have serious consequences and quality assurance must meet demanding safety standards.
With AI now becoming a major part of the software development lifecycle, TestSolutions’ latest academy initiative seeks to take Rwanda’s testing profession into a new phase — one in which local specialists can contribute to increasingly sophisticated digital products and compete for opportunities in international markets.
The company sees the academy as more than a training centre, positioning it as part of Rwanda’s broader effort to build a skilled technology workforce capable of supporting innovation, attracting digital investment and supplying talent to the global economy.
