Rwanda council drives science and innovation for development

The National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) is dedicated to transforming Rwanda into a nation powered by science, technology, and innovation.

Their focus is on leveraging tools to promote social welfare, drive sustainable socio-economic development, and enhance Rwanda’s competitiveness in the global marketplace through strategic partnerships, implementing capacity-building initiatives, and supporting groundbreaking research.

NCST is also committed to fostering collaboration between researchers, industry, and communities to ensure that scientific advances benefit Rwandan people directly.

Building research excellence

NCST participated in a workshop to enhance research management and grant administration on the continent.

The three-day training workshop held from 9-11 June was conducted in collaboration with the Southern Africa Research Innovation Management Association and Eastern Africa Research and Innovation Management Association.

The aim of the workshop is to strengthen research management and administration and grants management practices across Science Granting Councils in Sub-Saharan Africa as part of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Phase II.

The workshop emphasised research collaboration and partnerships, promoting connections between academia, the private sector, and community organizations to maximise research impact.

Participants also focused on grants management excellence and building resilient and effective funding mechanisms through comprehensive training on the grants management cycle.

Additionally, the training ensured strategic research alignment such that research initiatives align with national development priorities and ethical standards.

NCST participated in high-level discussions at the African Conference on Agricultural Technology 2025, addressing critical investment challenges in agricultural technology and identifying transformative opportunities for the sector’s advancement.

Research success stories

Read excerpts of some of the council’s research success stories published in the SGCI newsletter, which further highlights the NCST’s mission of supporting research that improves the lives of the Rwandan people

Rwandan scientists develop local yeast for banana winemakers

There is a struggle in Rwanda’s growing banana wine industry where many producers end up using inappropriate ingredients for fermentation, compromising both quality and regulatory compliance.

The problem prompted researcher Emmanuel Munezero and his team to explore local raw materials that could be used as starter cultures — microorganisms that aid fermentation and extend the shelf life of food and drinks.

Real-time emissions tracker eyes cleaner bill of health

Rwandan innovators are taking on air pollution with a monitoring device that tracks vehicle emissions in real time, shutting down the engine if levels get too high.

Rwanda’s urban population is rapidly growing, deepening concerns about air pollution and the harm it’s causing to public health.

“Exposure to harmful emissions can lead to long-term health issues,” said Emmanuel Tuyizere, who led the research and development project. Vehicle emissions contribute heavily to respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis, he explained.

Please check out the stories and let us know what you think. We would love to hear from you!

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Published on 19 June 2025

Written by Jackie Opara