RDB, Mastercard Foundation, and EF Education First partner to provide language and skills training to the tourism and hospitality industry in Rwanda.

The joint program will primarily focus on English proficiency and communication skills, which have been identified as a critical challenge for the industry. It will also boost essential hospitality skills, including knowledge about the attractiveness of Rwanda as a premier tourism destination and a focus on how to offer world-class service during events and conferences.

The first phase will include 2,000 workers and, upon successful completion, the program will expand countrywide and scale to include up to 30,000 participants from a wide range of job functions across the entire tourism and hospitality value chain. With a special focus on women and underprivileged youth, graduatesof the program are expected to increase their employability, and significantly improve their career opportunities in the future.

Launching in May 2020, the program will be delivered online via EF’s virtual English school – EF English Live. EF will work closely with local partners, including the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), the Rwanda Utilities and Regulatory Authority (RURA), the Chamber of Tourism (CoT), and other affiliated associations, to ensure an inclusive, relevant, and successful training program.

Commenting on the partnership, Clare Akamanzi, the RDB Chief Executive Officer, said:

“Human capital development is a cornerstone for Rwanda’s Vision 2050. We are pleased to partner with the Mastercard Foundation and EF Education First to improve English language proficiency and communication skills, which remain a critical challenge in the tourism and hospitality industry. We believe that this will greatly contribute to the level of service provision not only in the service industry but to the rest of the economy.”

“This training program is critical if we want to maintain the important gains made in Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality industry. Growth in the industry is vital to reducing poverty, improving the employability of young people, and moving the nation to middle-income status. We encourage young people to take advantage of this opportunity as, in addition to improving their proficiency in English, they will be able to strengthen their digital skills. Both are essential for succeeding in this sector and ensuring that young people have the resilience and relevance to thrive in our changing world. We welcome EF to our group of Hanga Ahazaza partners,”said Rica Rwigamba, Rwanda Country Head at Mastercard Foundation.

EF has assisted many governments with large-scale training programs to enable personal and professional development for staff of strategic sectors of the economy, including tourism and hospitality.

“This is a unique public-private partnership, entered into during an unprecedented time for the world and for Rwanda. We are proud to be able to bring our global expertise and best practices in training to the Rwandan tourism and hospitality industry. We hope to boost morale among staff and equip them with the skills needed to make Rwanda the destination of choice for foreign visitors to Africa. We are making a significant pro bono investment to make this program a reality, and we are also committed to supporting other sectors, including education, to ensure Rwanda reaches its bold ambitions for the future,” said Carl-Johan Westring, President Customized Solutions at EF.

For media enquiries please contact:

Rwanda Development Board

Doreen Ingabire

Head of Communications

Telephone: +2507895255598

Email: doreen.ingabire@rdb.rw

Mastercard Foundation

Helen White

Strategy Lead, Program Communications

Telephone:+27 76 166 5372

Email:  hwhite@mastercardfdn.org

EF Education First

Julia Mut

Global Program Manager

Telephone+447816486799

Email:  julia.mut@ef.com

About Rwanda Development Board (www.rdb.rw)

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) isa government agency in Rwanda with a vision to transform Rwanda into a dynamic global hub for business, investment, and innovation. Its mission is to fast track economic development in Rwanda by enabling private sector growth.

About Mastercard Foundation (www.mastercardfdn.org)

The Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. Through its Young Africa Works strategy, Canadian EleV program, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, the Foundation works with partners to ensure that millions of young people, especially young women, access quality education, financial services, and dignified work. The Mastercard Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. The Foundation is independent with its own Board of Directors and CEO.

About EF Education First (www.ef.com)

Established in 1965 in Sweden with the mission to “open the world through education”, EF is the world’s leading international education company. With a network of more than 52,000 teachers, researchers and staff in over 600 offices and schools in more than 50 countries, EF is a trusted partner of the leading companies of the world and governments on all continents. From its London office, EF engages in public-private partnerships globally to create significant positive impact on human capital development as well as the competitiveness of entire industries and countries.