What is RISE Rwanda?
RISE Rwanda is an initiative designed by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by UNICEF.
It is designed to provide nationally accredited, technology-enabled alternative pathways to secondary education for out-of-school youth who lack formal education qualifications.
It uses targeted interventions to support marginalised young people to transition into work, including girls, young people with disabilities, over-age learners, young mothers, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.
What does RISE Rwanda aim to achieve?
RISE Rwanda’s key objective is to support 1.1 million young people to complete secondary education and gain vocational skills for work by 2035.
Other aims of the programme include:
- implementing a nationally accredited, technology-enabled alternative learning curriculum at scale
- operationalising a robust learning management system
- establishing 2,000 alternative sites that deliver quality secondary education through flexible learning pathways
- supporting 10,000 young graduates and teachers to become learning facilitators and mentors
- building improved awareness, engagement, and demand for inclusive alternative education pathways.
Designed by the Mastercard Foundation, the programme is also aligned with the Foundation’s broader Young Africa Works Strategy, which aims to enable 30 million young people – particularly young women – across Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
EDT's role on RISE Rwanda
On RISE Rwanda, EDT supports UNICEF and the Ministry of Education with their objectives for the programme, working closely with the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), the National Examination and Schools Inspection Authority (NESA), and the Rwanda technical and vocational education and training (TVET) board.
We work alongside these partners to develop a curriculum and assessment framework for accelerated education, addressing gaps in digital skills, English language proficiency, and vocational expertise, as well as basic education competencies in mathematics, science, and humanities.
“EDT is demonstrating its commitment to improving life chances by working with the Rwandan government to ensure that every learner – in and out of school – is equipped to live a fulfilling and successful life. We are proud to partner with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education in Rwanda to carry out this important work to prepare young people for the future in a changing world.”
Sabine Nguini, Director of Technical & Learning, EDT
Frequently asked questions
What challenges is RISE Rwanda addressing?
In recent years, Rwanda’s education sector has achieved significant progress in access, quality, and relevance – yet, despite ongoing efforts, challenges remain. Out of the country’s 3.5 million young people, 28% are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). While this challenge is not unique to Rwanda, the country’s Ministry of Education recognises the critical need to support its out-of-school youth, especially secondary school dropouts, by linking the curriculum with labour market needs and providing flexible, accessible, and individualised pathways.
How does RISE Rwanda align with government strategies in Rwanda and Africa as a whole?
RISE Rwanda will contribute to the realisation of the Rwanda’s Vision 2050, which aims to transform the country into an upper-middle-income nation by 2035 and a high-income nation by 2050, through sustained economic growth and a high quality of life for all citizens. The programme also resonates with Africa’s commitment to address the challenge of out-of-school youth through accelerated learning. The Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2026-2035) emphasises creating alternative, accelerated learning, and adult literacy programmes to re-engage those who have left school.
Let’s work together
Interested in partnering with us on this programme or in similar work?
Contact Sabine Nguini, Director of Technical & Learning
Sabine leads our team of in-house technical experts, providing technical assistance to support government-led reform initiatives. With extensive experience partnering with ministries of education, her work focuses on helping governments translate strategy into sustainable impact across education systems.