VUBA Technologies Limited, a leading multi-product and multi-division system integration and software company operating in Africa, Asia, and the USA on Wednesday, October 23, launched the Technology Development Centre (TDC) to "empower industry professionals with advanced skills” in a fully-equipped and practical learning environment.

This strategic initiative aims to contribute significantly to Rwanda’s digital transformation goals by creating a new generation of industry-ready ICT experts.

The capacity-building centre will be located at Vuba Technologies’ office at Umoja House, opposite the RURA headquarters in Nyarugenge District.

Renowned for its practical and multidisciplinary approach, VUBA Technologies focuses on strengthening the capabilities of engineers, engaging with industry projects, and fostering collaborations with local companies. The newly launched TDC will serve as a key capacity-building hub, preparing professionals to meet the evolving demands of the technology landscape.

The primary objective of the centre is to train ICT professionals in a hands-on environment. Through real-time practice, participants will gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills critical to navigating industry challenges.

"We’re planning to establish an African hub here in Rwanda, bringing in external engineers to conduct training,” said Srimal Rajapaksha, Managing Director of Vuba Technologies in Rwanda.

"This initiative aims to support the Rwandan government economically. Many Africans currently travel abroad for professional training, but we believe Rwanda is the best location within East Africa to set up this hub and take it to the next level.”

Rajapaksha explained that participants will receive certified professional qualifications through short courses.

"We are collaborating with leading industry professionals to offer certificates in areas such as networking, fibre optics, virtualisation, Cisco, databases, Oracle, Palo Alto, CCTV systems, and more,” he noted.

The company also aims to train over 10,000 industry professionals within the next five years, with courses available both physically and virtually.

"Training durations will vary depending on the course, ranging from one to three months, covering everything from basic networking to expert-level certifications,” he explained.

"We are prepared to provide certification and training for engineers in any technology-related field,” he said.

Similarly, VUBA Technologies aims to strengthen partnerships with local companies by offering collaborative solutions through the TDC. This will bridge the gap between academia and industry, enabling businesses to access a pool of skilled talent trained in cutting-edge technologies.

"This is the first phase, costing over Rwf200 million, and we plan to expand it beyond Kigali to other parts of the country. The goal is to bring services closer to people who cannot travel to Kigali. We are also considering establishing a similar centre at one of the universities.”

The TDC also aligns with the Government of Rwanda’s digital transformation initiative, which focuses on positioning the country as a regional tech hub. VUBA Technologies is committed to supporting national development efforts and driving innovation across sectors by equipping professionals with advanced ICT skills.

"Everything in Rwanda is moving to a digital economy. We are supporting the government in achieving this goal by collaborating with the Ministry of ICT, the ICT Chamber, and universities to educate students. For those seeking professional internships in their final year, we provide opportunities for them,” he said.

Rajapaksha noted that universities often focus more on theory, which does not always align with the practical skills required by the industry. They aim to bridge these gaps.

Founded in 2011, the company expanded to Sri Lanka, Malawi, and Zambia in 2014, with active operations starting in Rwanda in 2019. It also operates in Bangladesh and the USA, with plans to further extend its footprint to the DRC, and Burundi by the end of 2025.

The company provides diverse solutions, including data centre solutions, disaster recovery, cloud solutions, virtualisation, networking, cybersecurity, software development, IT equipment supply and installation, IT system support, and more.