Rwanda’s capital has become the hub for global education and innovation dialogue as the Global Learning Conference 2026 in Africa opens, drawing experts, policymakers, educators and innovators from around the world.
The two‑day conference, held 19–20 February at the Kigali Convention Centre, is co‑hosted by the Rwanda Ministry of Education, the Global Learning Council, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Villars Institute. Participants are engaging in discussions designed to connect education with broader social challenges including health, the environment and sustainability while forging collaborative pathways to reshape learning systems.
On 18 February, a day before the official opening, President Paul Kagame welcomed visiting international delegates at Urugwiro Village, demonstrating Rwanda’s high‑level political support for global cooperation in education and development.
The programme goes beyond policy talks. In addition to plenary sessions and expert panels, the conference includes an artificial intelligence (AI) hackathon and a student robotics competition, highlighting the increasing emphasis on hands‑on innovation and technological fluency among young learners.
Organisers and attendees view the Kigali event as part of a broader shift in how education is framed globally: not only as a response to traditional academic needs, but as a central component of sustainable development, workforce readiness and technological inclusion. The integration of innovation‑focused activities such as hackathons and robotics challenges underscores this evolution, signalling a deliberate blending of high‑level strategy with practical, skills‑oriented engagement.
As Rwanda hosts this convening, the conference is expected to influence future collaborative initiatives, partnerships and policy directions that align education systems more closely with global economic and technological trends.
