The academy, officially launched at RSB headquarters in Kigali on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, is expected to become a national and regional center of excellence for standards-related training, producing highly skilled quality professionals capable of supporting industrial growth, trade, and innovation.
The facility was established under the project to Strengthen Rwanda Industrial Standardization ICT Capacity (SISIC), funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented by RSB under the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The initiative is part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to strengthen standardization, metrology, and conformity assessment services, which are considered critical pillars for achieving the country’s long-term socio-economic transformation goals.
RSB Director General, Murenzi Raymond
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, RSB Director General Murenzi Raymond described the academy as a landmark investment in Rwanda’s future, emphasizing its role in building a quality-driven and knowledge-based economy.
“Today we mark an important milestone in our journey towards strengthening the national quality infrastructure, which fosters innovation and supports industrialization, export competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth,” he said.
According to Murenzi, the academy will provide industries, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and professionals with the technical skills needed to meet international standards and improve product quality.
“Quality is the foundation of competitiveness. Quality is life. Quality is everything,” he remarked.
He noted that in an increasingly interconnected global economy, countries that consistently deliver products and services meeting international standards are better positioned to access regional and international markets.
Murenzi said the academy is not only designed to serve Rwanda but is also expected to support the country’s ambition of becoming a regional and continental hub for quality infrastructure, standards, and industrial competitiveness.
“Through this academy, Rwanda is establishing a sustainable mechanism to provide the expertise required by industries while supporting professional development across both the public and private sectors,” he said.
The Director General also praised KOICA and other development partners for their continued support, describing the academy as a catalyst for economic transformation that will produce quality professionals capable of serving Rwanda, Africa, and beyond.
PS to MINICOM, Chantal Tuyishimire
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Chantal Tuyishimire, said the academy represents the success of a strong partnership between Rwanda and the Republic of Korea and reflects a shared commitment to promoting a culture of quality.
She highlighted the knowledge transfer component of the partnership, which enabled Rwandan professionals to learn from Korea’s globally recognized quality management systems and industrial practices.
“Through this partnership, we have learned the value of precision in manufacturing, innovation, quality assurance, time management, and continuous improvement,” she said.
PS Tuyishimire emphasized that although quality may not yet be an obsession in Rwanda as it is in Korea, it must become an integral part of the country’s culture and daily practices if Rwanda is to achieve its industrialization ambitions.
“Today’s event is not only about launching the RSB Quality Academy. It is also a celebration of partnership, a shared vision, and our collective commitment to building a strong quality ecosystem that supports innovation, trade, industrial development, and consumer confidence,” she said.
The Ambassador of Korea, H.E. Jeong Woo-jin
The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Rwanda, H.E. Jeong Woo-jin, congratulated Rwanda on the successful establishment of the academy and reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to supporting Rwanda’s development journey.
He praised Rwanda’s growing leadership in quality infrastructure and digital transformation, citing the successful hosting of the ISO General Assembly in Kigali last year as evidence of the country’s rising international profile.
“Rwanda and Korea have always worked side by side on the journey of digital transformation,” the ambassador said.
He described the relationship between the two countries as one built on friendship, mutual benefit, and shared aspirations for development.
Ms Rita Mahoro
The event also featured testimony from Rita Mahoro, a graduate of the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) and former RSB intern, who shared how exposure to RSB’s quality systems transformed her professional outlook.
Mahoro said her internship allowed her to move beyond classroom theory and witness how quality principles are applied in real-world settings.
“One of the most important lessons I learned is that quality is not something inspected into a product at the end of the process. Quality is built into every step, every procedure, every measurement, and every decision,” she said.
She noted that professional training and mentorship received at RSB helped shape her career path and equipped her with practical skills that she now applies as a food processing technician.
Encouraging future trainees, Mahoro urged young professionals to embrace learning opportunities provided by the academy, saying they would play a critical role in shaping the next generation of quality experts.
The newly established academy is equipped with modern ICT infrastructure and digital learning facilities that will support training, certification programs, and capacity-building initiatives for professionals from Rwanda and across the region.
Officials believe the institution will help address existing skills gaps in industry, strengthen conformity assessment services, and enhance the competitiveness of Rwandan products and services in global markets.
As Rwanda continues implementing its Vision 2050 agenda and National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), the RSB Quality Academy is expected to play a pivotal role in nurturing the expertise needed to support industrial growth, innovation, and sustainable economic development.
