Kigali, Rwanda is an exciting and lively place to visit, study, and work. It is also a vibrant destination for tourism. One of the first things most people notice is that Kigali is spotlessly clean. Residents of Rwanda enjoy a low corruption rate and high quality of life, making the country an ideal location for innovative ideas, research, and exploration. Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda’s countryside is picturesque—full of billowing green hills, turquoise lakes, and unique wildlife. Students have the opportunity to explore Rwanda’s remarkable landscape and culture.

Faculty and staff members who are joining CMU-Africa can learn more about employment at Carnegie Mellon University and life in Kigali by visiting the Office of Human Resources website.

Aerial view of CMU-Africa

About Kigali Innovation City

Kigali Innovation City (KIC), with strong support from the Government of Rwanda and Africa50, is at the core of Rwanda’s vision to become a Pan-African hub for tech and innovation. The project is a joint venture to co-develop and co-finance with private sector investors. KIC is building a supportive and connected ecosystem with a concentration of game-changing startups, innovative companies, financial investors, academia, and support services that facilitate the creation and commercialization of new ideas. KIC is developing a 61.9-hectare mixed-use development that integrates universities, offices, residential housing, retail facilities, and a hotel in a smart and environmentally-conscious manner. 

CMU-Africa is the first center of excellence to be located in Kigali Innovation City. The Kigali Innovation City is home to large corporations and technology companies making CMU-Africa's location strategic as it provides students the opportunity to interact directly with these industries around them.