There is a need to prepare a workforce with the necessary skills to meet the demands of both private and public labor markets, Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente has said.

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He was speaking at the 5th International Network for Governmental Science Advice Conference (INGSA) which brought together worldwide scientists at Kigali Convention Centre (KCC).

The conference from April 30 to May 2 was organised under the theme: The transformation imperative - expanded evidence for inclusive policies in diverse contexts.

The conference is being held in Africa for the first time.

"Our goal is to develop our human capital by providing comprehensive training in different fields of science. Through this approach, we prepare our workforce with the necessary skills to meet the demands of both private and public labour markets,” he noted.

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As Rwanda aims at building a knowledge-based economy, he said that in order to achieve this target, the country has strategically invested in the entire education system, at all levels from primary education, secondary education to higher learning institutions.

"Aligned with our Vision 2050, science is expected to play a key role in Rwanda’s journey towards becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050, ensuring high standards of living for all Rwandans,” he said.

Rwanda has established the institutional arrangement that is needed to create an environment conducive for science development and innovation according to Ngirente.

This in turn, he noted, translates into new technologies needed to support the economic growth of the country.

Rwanda has accepted to support the establishment of a regional unit of the International Network for Governmental Science Advice currently hosted by the University of Rwanda.

It is expected that this unit will expand its operations to support the creation of functional networks at a regional level and serve as a hub for capacity development for Africa.

"Science advice for the transformation of our systems is critical for decision-makers. We must therefore take bold and strategic actions in setting the global science agenda to address our most pressing challenges and respond to our development priorities. our focus should be on increasing the capability and resilience of global science advisory organizations and national systems,” he said.

He said the Government of Rwanda recognizes the significance of science, technology, and innovation in all sectors and fields as crucial drivers for promoting social welfare and sustainable development in the country.

The Minister of Education Gaspard Twagirayezu highlighted Rwanda’s recent milestones, such as the groundbreaking of the BioNTech plant and the first mRNA vaccine manufacturing, which shows commitment to innovation.

"The establishment of the INGSA-Africa Hub in Rwanda will bolster our efforts in science advice, training, and networking across the continent,” he said.

The National AI Policy, launched in 2022, sets the stage for Rwanda to become a hub of innovation, aligning closely with the objectives of the science hub.

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"The country's AI policy provides a roadmap to enable Rwanda to harness the benefits of AI and mitigate its risks. Building on the mission of the Vision 2050, Smart Rwanda Master Plan and other key national plans and policies, it equips Rwanda to make use of AI for sustainable and inclusive growth.”

By mobilising local, regional, and international stakeholders, it positions Rwanda to become a leading African Innovation Hub and Africa’s Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, he noted.

Professor Rémi Quirion, the Chief Scientist of Quebec and President of the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) said:

"The importance of open science and access to data to better inform scientific integration and the collective action we now need, has never been more pressing. Our shared UN sustainable development goals play out at national and local levels. Cities and municipalities bear the brunt of climate change, but also can drive the solutions.”