ACQF mission to Rwanda: Planned Areas of Collaboration

Start: February 16, 2026 at 8:00 AMEnd: February 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Past event

In Rwanda, the ETF has already worked closely with national institutions and government agencies, particularly in the field of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector, aimed at aligning skills development with labour market needs and promoting work-based learning & private sector engagement.

Among the successful collaborations between Rwanda and ETF in the past few years are the development of a concept for TVET Centres of Excellence in Rwanda and analysis of the skills supply and demand in the broader agriculture sector.

Planned Focus of Collaboration with Rwanda TVET Board (RTB)

The planned collaboration between Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) and ETF under the ACQF framework focuses on strengthening progression pathways and supporting Rwanda’s longer-term vision for micro-credentials and digital solutions within the national qualifications system, with specific focus on basic TVET.

Key Areas of Planned Collaboration

A. Bridging and Micro-Credentials
This area focuses on addressing progression challenges where TVET competence certificates do not automatically lead to further learning or full TVET qualifications. Collaboration discussions relate to modular, stackable learning units that can function as bridging TVET courses and/or TVET micro-credentials aligned with the Rwanda Qualifications Framework (RQF).

B. Digital Blueprint and Registry Concept
This area focuses on a high-level conceptual blueprint for future digital solutions supporting RPL, micro-TVET credentials and TVET qualifications. The blueprint would clarify service objectives, information elements, registry principles and possible linkages with continental and national qualifications data initiatives (including QCP-related interoperability).

C. Optional Micro-Credentials Guidelines
The need for TVET micro-credentials guidelines or policy documents would be explored as work on bridging and micro-credentials progresses. This may include clarification of definitions, principles, quality considerations and alignment with existing legal and qualifications frameworks.

D. ACQF Qualifications and Credentials Platform (QCP) – exploratory linkages
This area explores the use of the ACQF Qualifications and Credentials Platform (QCP) to store and publish information on Rwanda’s qualifications, supporting transparency, comparability and future developments related to micro-credentials and RPL.

Key Abbreviations and Links

Agenda

Monday – 16 February 2026

09:00–10:30 — RTB Strategic Orientation

Location: RTB Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • Paul Umukunzi, DG RTB
  • Agaba Nassi Bisengo, DDG RTB
  • Geofrey Rutagambwa, Advisor to the DG

Focus: RTB/ETF collaboration overview

10:30–11:00 — Break / Buffer

11:00–12:30 — RTB Technical Working Session

Location: RTB Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • Aimable Rwamasirabo, HoD Curriculum & Instructional Materials Development
  • Asher Mutijima, Ag. Division Manager, Digital Technologies
  • Rehema Mukankubito, Education Program Manager
  • Eugene Uwimana, TVET Skills Development Program Manager

Focus: Micro-credentials and modular pathways; Blueprint and registry for future digital solutions

12:30–13:30 — Lunch Break

13:30–14:00 — Break / Buffer

14:00–16:00 — MINEDUC & HEC

Location: MINEDUC Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • Rehema Mukankubito, Education Program Manager RTB
  • Rose Baguma, Head of Education Policy Department MINEDUC
  • Bella Rwigamba, Chief Digital Officer MINEDUC
  • Theodore Dusabimana, Head of Department Polytechnics Quality Standards HEC

Focus: Education policy alignment; RQF implementation strategy and ACQF; Progression pathways with flexible learning models

15:00–15:30 — Break / Buffer

16:00–17:00 — MIFOTRA

Location: MIFOTRA Headquarters (same location as MINEDUC, next-door building)

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • Emmanuel Uwihangaye, Dual TVET Project Manager RTB
  • François Ngoboka, Chief Skills Officer MIFOTRA
  • Faustin Mwambari, Head of the Employment Ecosystem and Policy Strategy Department MIFOTRA

Focus: Labour market priorities; Skills recognition and employability; RPL and micro credentials from a labour market perspective

16:30–17:00 — Break / Buffer

Tuesday – 17 February 2026

09:00–10:00 — MINICT

Location: MINICT Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • Asher Mutijima, Ag. Division Manager, Digital Technologies RTB
  • TBD

Focus: Digital blueprint for qualifications and micro-credentials; Registry concept and interoperability standards

10:00–10:30 — Break / Buffer

10:30–12:30 — NESA

Location: NESA Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • Sosthene Kazima, Dual TVET Specialist RTB
  • Vianney Kavutse, Head of the Department for Basic Education and TVET Quality Assurance
  • Jean Claude Nzeyimana, Head of the Basic Education and TVET Examinations Department

Focus: QA in basic TVET; Assessment frameworks for new credential types; QA alignment with ACQF

12:30–13:30 — Lunch Break

13:30–14:00 — Break / Buffer

14:00–17:00 — PSF and Associations

Location: PSF Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • Emmanuel Uwinagaye, Dual TVET Project Manager RTB
  • Faustin Karasira, Chief Operating Officer PSF
  • Stephen Ruzibiza, Chief Executive Officer PSF
  • Associations/Clusters TBD

Focus: Employer demand for skills transparency; Use of micro-credentials in industry; Private sector engagement in qualification design

Wednesday – 18 February 2026

09:00–11:30 — Summary and Planning

11:30–12:30 — EU Delegation

Location: EU Delegation Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • Paul Umukunzi, DG RTB
  • TBD

Focus: Role of the EU in RTB/ETF collaboration; Presentation of the planned areas for collaboration in Rwanda

12:30–13:30 — Lunch Break (possibly joint lunch with EU Delegation)

14:00–15:00 — LuxDev

Location: RTB Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • Alastair Machin, Policy Advisor LuxDev
  • Oliver Herrlen, TVET Advisor LuxDev

Focus: Presentation of the planned areas for collaboration in Rwanda; Discussion on possible interest and engagement

15:00–15:30 — Break / Buffer

15:30–17:00 — World Bank

Location: World Bank Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • Eugene Uwimana, TVET Skills Development Program Manager RTB
  • TBD

Focus: Presentation of the planned areas for collaboration in Rwanda; Discussion on possible interest and engagement

Thursday – 19 February 2026

09:00–10:30 — UNICEF

Location: UNICEF Rwanda Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • TBD

Focus: Presentation of the planned areas for collaboration in Rwanda; Discussion on possible interest and engagement

10:30–12:30 — RTB

Location: RTB Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • RTB staff

Focus: Wrap-Up & Action Planning

12:30–13:30 — Lunch Break

14:00–16:00 — RTB

Location: RTB Headquarters

Participants:

  • Satu Järvinen, Human Capital Development Expert, ETF
  • Paul Umukunzi, DG RTB
  • Agaba Nassi Bisengo, DDG RTB
  • Geofrey Rutagambwa, Advisor to the DG

Focus: Consolidate mission outcomes; Confirm follow-up actions; Agree on next technical exchanges and timeline