Recently, our TestSolutions GmbH team, accompanied by key partners, returned from a delegation trip to Rwanda. This trip was much more than a usual business meeting; it was a profound experience that brought us closer to the country, its people and its enormous potential in a very special way.
The aim of the thirteen-strong delegation was not only to exchange ideas with local stakeholders and explore new investment opportunities, but also to pause and remember the victims of the 1994 genocide.
We would like to share our impressions of this intensive week here, focusing on our firm commitment to Rwanda as a business location.
Guided tour of Norrsken House Kigali
A central and deeply moving moment of our trip was the visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Together, we laid a wreath to commemorate the more than one million victims of the genocide against the Tutsi.
We were deeply touched and inspired by the immeasurable strength and determination with which the Rwandan people are pursuing the path of reconstruction and reconciliation after this unimaginable tragedy.
In the spirit of "Kwibuka" - remembrance - we have not only paused, but also gained the firm determination to shape a prosperous future together with Rwanda.
This place of remembrance is also a powerful symbol of the country's resilience and irrepressible will.
Wreath-laying ceremony at the Kigali Genocide Memorial
Understanding Rwanda requires deep historical reflection. But above all, we are looking to the future. Rwanda is a country pulsating with opportunities, innovation and young talent.
For two and a half years now, we have been a proud part of this dynamic development with our subsidiary TestSolutions Rwanda (TSR).
TestSolutions Rwanda serves the domestic and African market, but our local focus is on training and developing young Rwandan IT talent. Together, we are developing their skills to make them fit for the highly demanding European market - with some notable successes elsewhere.
Isabelle Bucyeyeneza (Executive Manager, TestSolutions Rwanda Ltd.)
The openness of the people, the impressive safety and cleanliness of the country that we experienced on a daily basis, as well as the infectious enthusiasm and willingness to learn of the young generation, strongly encourage us in our decision to expand our investments and further strengthen our local teams.
For us, Rwanda is an ideal partner for sustainable development in the field of software testing and IT services - a commitment that we live by with conviction.
You can find out more about our commitment and the background in this KTPress article: CLICK
Of course, we also face challenges along the way. The current visa situation between Rwanda and some European countries is an example of this. We are proactively working to ensure that visa applications can be processed more easily and directly in Kigali in future in order to facilitate the all-important exchange and transfer of knowledge.
In order to strengthen the dialog and paint a multifaceted picture of Rwanda in Europe - away from often one-sided narratives - we have also taken the initiative to establish a network of European entrepreneurs together with the European Chamber of Commerce Rwanda. The aim is to intensify the exchange and authentically convey the realities and opportunities on the ground.
TestSolutions Managing Director Christian Knoop talks about the realities on the ground and our commitment in Rwanda:
Rwanda is pursuing an impressively visionary strategy to promote digital skills. This ranges from elementary school, universities and specialized coding academies to international collaborations, such as with the renowned Carnegie Mellon University in Kigali.
Initiatives such as "1 Million Rwandan Coders" and practical training programs create a solid foundation for training the next generation of IT experts.
We are proud to be part of this vibrant ecosystem and to be actively shaping Rwanda's digital future together with local and international partners.
Our trip has once again provided us with impressive confirmation: Rwanda is a country on the move that is open, safe and filled with drive and the potential of young talent.
We see it as our corporate responsibility and at the same time as an enriching opportunity to leverage this potential together - through targeted investments, knowledge sharing in partnership and sustainable local engagement.
For TestSolutions, the commitment to Rwanda is not just a strategic decision, but a matter close to our hearts.
We recommend: Discover Rwanda for yourself, form your own opinion - it is an experience that will enrich and inspire!
Get in contact.
See also: