Rwanda’s first ever blockchain school is all set to be opened in 2020 by the Africa Blockchain Institute (ABI). The school will offer five new courses tailor made for the country’s coders, policymakers and professionals.
In particular, ABI Executive Director, Kayode Babarinde, disclosed that the school offers five courses namely a blockchain essentials certification course, blockchain for lawyers, a blockchain developers’ course, blockchain for impact and an enterprise blockchain course.
Babarinde further stated that ABI did the ground work for the course in Rwanda by conducting a trial for a blockchain school in Ghana, where it rolled out blockchain certification course that teaches the fundamentals of the technology.
Before the trial was conducted in Ghana, the main five subjects to be taught have been decided. However, it was later updated on the basis of feedback and experiences of students who undertook the course.
Babarinde stated that the assistance and coordination of the Blockchain DLT Rwanda Association, and its chairman, Norbert Haguma, has been a prime factor in its decision to establish the school in Rwanda. Furthermore, he opined that the local environment was highly favorable in making investments in disruptive technologies:
“Every technology company is looking for an enabling environment to serve the continent. This means supportive policies, resource management, and visibility for the market. All these make Rwanda stand out in Africa.”
While encouraging firms to develop blockchain based solutions locally, Babarinde suggested companies to have an open mind and cooperate with overseas blockchain related firms, if necessary. As blockchain technology continues to develop at a rapid pace, with strong backing from international players, global cooperation is a must to ensure adoption of the technology across Africa, Babarinde said.
Along with education, ABI is also tasked with the responsibility of providing timely recommendations for creating robust regulatory framework for blockchain and cryptocurrencies in Africa, with constructive cooperation from Blockchain DLT Rwanda Association.
Babarinde opined that a strong regulatory framework is necessary to minimize crypto related scams and “unsolicited activities” in East Africa. Earlier in December, a joint statement cautioning the public about crypto scams was issued by blockchain associations in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya.
Earlier this summer, Uganda’s President presided the 2019 Africa Blockchain Conference, in which he highlighted agriculture, services, manufacturing and processing, and ICT sectors as major economic sectors that have higher chances of benefiting from adoption of blockchain technology.
