On 15th October 2025, the African Centre of Excellence in Internet of Things (ACEIoT) hosted a high-level delegation led by Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, who visited to witness the Centre’s contribution to advancing ICT and innovation in Rwanda.
The delegation included Hon. Yves Iradukunda, State Minister in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, and Mr. Armen Orujyan, a member of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC).
Discussions focused on various projects and initiatives currently being implemented at ACEIoT and how they can be further supported to maximize their impact in driving Rwanda’s digital transformation.
During the visit, the delegation toured the IoT and AI laboratories, the IoT lab, the Transformative Artificial Intelligence Research and Innovation (TAIRI) Lab, the Drones Knowledge and Skills Hub, and the IoT Incubation Hub; interacted with researchers and innovators; and explored ongoing projects shaping Rwanda’s innovation and digital ecosystem.
Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, Hon. Yves Iradukunda, Minister of State for ICT and Innovation, and Mr. Armen Orujyan from the Presidential Advisory Council alongside Prof Gatare Ignace the Principal of the College of Science and Technology at the University of Rwanda arrived at the TAIRI Lab to see its research capabilities and progress.
Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura, The TAIRI Lab Director, began with a briefing on the facility's current operations. The lab maintains state-of-the-art research equipment and supports ten graduate students five pursuing doctoral degrees and five completing master's programs.
Dr. Evariste Twahirwa presented the Biomass Project, explaining the online data collection system designed to monitor and analyze biomass resources. The project aims to support sustainable energy development through systematic data gathering and analysis.
Dr. Eric Nizeyimana followed with a demonstration of the Urban Air Quality project. The initiative uses IoT sensors integrated with mobile networks to track air pollution levels across Rwandan cities, providing real-time data for environmental monitoring and policy planning.
The Ministers and Mr. Orujyan met briefly with the student researchers to discuss their ongoing work and research methodologies. The students outlined their projects and answered technical questions about their approaches and expected outcomes.
The delegation then visited additional facilities within the African Centre of Excellence. At the Drone Knowledge and Skills Lab, they observed training equipment and prototype drones being developed for various applications. The IoT Lab showcased sensor networks and connected device systems under development.