Rwanda Coding Academy has been shortlisted among the world’s top 50 schools for the 2026 Global Schools Prize, positioning Rwanda on the global stage in technology-driven education.
The Nyabihu-based institution was selected from more than 3,000 schools across 113 countries in the competition organized by the Varkey Foundation, which recognizes schools demonstrating innovation and measurable impact in education.
Rwanda Coding Academy will compete in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Transformation category, highlighting its growing reputation in integrating advanced technologies into learning. The category is supported by Fab AI, which promotes the use of AI in education, particularly in developing countries.
Shortlisted schools are inducted into the Global Schools Network, opening doors to international collaboration, training opportunities, and global visibility.
The selection reflects the academy’s distinctive model, where students not only build software solutions but also explore how emerging technologies like AI can address real-world societal challenges.
From the top 50, ten finalists will each receive $50,000, while the overall winner will be awarded a grand prize of $500,000. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in London during the World Education Summit from May 17 to 20, 2026.
Founded in 2019, Rwanda Coding Academy is a government-supported secondary school specializing in computer science, currently enrolling about 280 students aged between 14 and 19.
The school has consistently delivered strong results in international competitions. In 2025, its students swept the top three positions in the picoCTF-Africa cybersecurity challenge, outperforming peers from over 20 African countries.
In 2026, the academy also won the national AI Ideathon organized by the Rwanda Basic Education Board, earning the opportunity to represent Rwanda at an upcoming global competition in Switzerland.
