Rwanda has 32,205 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers, serving 1,165,384 children in 2025, up more than 800,000 since 2020, the National Council for Children’s Development (NCDA) reports.
The figures were unveiled at the 5th National Conference on Early Childhood Development in Kigali on January 15, 2026, attended by over 300 government officials and partners. About 80.7% of children under six now access ECD services, mostly in community-based home groups, with schools and other centers accounting for the rest.
Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolée Uwimana, stressed that early childhood services are vital for cognitive development, social skills, and learning capacity, aligning with Rwanda’s NST2, Vision 2050, and SDGs.
NCDA Director Assoumpta Ingabira said comprehensive ECD services—including nutrition, health, hygiene, protection, and early learning—prepare children for lifelong success. Rwanda’s 2022 census recorded 5.8 million children under 18, highlighting the importance of expanding quality early education nationwide.
