How UR is shaping Rwanda’s tech future through IoT and research excellence

Prof Damien during the 2025 Australia-Africa Universities Network (AAUN) Africa Forum
Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura serves as the Director of the Centre of Excellence in the Internet of Things (ACEIoT) at the University of Rwanda, where he has played a pivotal role in advancing research, innovation, and postgraduate training in emerging technologies. With a track record of securing competitive grants, mentoring future innovators, and fostering impactful partnerships, he has been instrumental in positioning IoT and AI at the University of Rwanda. He reflects on his inspiring journey in research and leadership in the field of IoT.

You lead the Centre of Internet of Things at the University of Rwanda ; can you share what inspired you to focus your research and leadership in this field ?

I joined the African Center of Excellence in the Internet of Things (ACEIoT) in May 2017, when I was appointed to coordinate PhD studies and research. This role involves managing PhD students, their supervisors, and the research projects they are undertaking. My time at the Centre has inspired me to pursue research topics that are relevant to addressing African societal challenges through the application of IoT.

So far, the Centre has graduated 137 master’s and 25 PhD students, trained more than 320 individuals, signed approximately 15 MoUs with various partners, and secured grant projects worth over $2.3 million. Our graduates are now working in diverse organizations or pursuing PhD studies at universities around the world.

What are some of the most impactful research grants or projects you’ve led, and how are they contributing to solving real-world problems in Rwanda or the region ?

I have been involved in 14 project grants ; seven of them as Principal Investigator, and the other seven as Co-Principal Investigator. Some of the most impactful research grants include the PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) project, funded by ICIPE, which provides PhD scholarships to ACEIoT students. To date, 23 PhD students have been funded through RSIF, with four of them having graduated.

Another notable grant is titled “Strengthening the National Innovation Ecosystem through the Development of a Research Commercialization Strategy and Facilitation of Scaling of Selected Projects,” funded by Chemonics through the RISA Fund Program. This project supported the development of a National Technology Transfer and Commercialization Strategy, which provides guidance for the successful scaling of research and innovation projects and strengthens commercialization efforts ; ultimately boosting Rwanda’s economy.
The Transformative Artificial Intelligence Research and Innovation Lab, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), is another key project. Its goal is to build the capacity of AI experts and practitioners to develop and implement responsible AI solutions tailored to local needs. I must also highlight the Smart Beehive Technology project, funded by RSIF, which aims to introduce IoT solutions into beehives for monitoring, protection, and increased productivity.

Last but not least, I spearheaded the development of Smart Wearable Device for Real-Time Risk Monitoring of Infectious Virus Spreading : Case Study of COVID-19. This project supported three MSc students through mentorship and internships with an industry partner, exposing them to an industrial environment during the development of the device.

Winning research grants is competitive ; what strategies or qualities do you believe have helped you succeed as a Principal Investigator ?

Working on research proposals requires hard work, sleepless nights, and a great deal of resilience. You must invest significant effort and time to ensure timely submission. While many proposals may be rejected, it is important not to be discouraged. You keep writing and submitting more proposals until some are accepted for funding.

One of my key strategies has been to involve committed colleagues who are ready to support project implementation if the proposal is successful. Successfully implementing one research grant often increases your chances of obtaining others, as many funders consider prior experience in project management a key selection criterion.

I also make sure to involve both local and international partners, as many funders prioritize collaborative research efforts.

How do you envision the future of IoT research and innovation in Rwanda, and what role do you see the University playing in that transformation ?

The IoT research supported is now applied across various fields in Rwanda and continues to contribute to the country’s research and innovation landscape. We are witnessing the emergence of numerous IoT and AI initiatives aimed at advancing this progress. A few notable examples include the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), the AI Innovation Lab at MINICT, Norrsken House, FabLab, GIZ-supported AI projects, drone technology companies and others.

The University of Rwanda is also playing a significant role by providing capacity-building programs that train IoT engineers who actively contribute to these initiatives. For instance, the IoT Lab at the ACEIoT provides hands-on training for MSc and PhD students, equipping them with practical skills to develop IoT-based projects. There are also growing efforts to integrate AI into IoT projects to address national challenges in sectors such as health, agriculture, and the environment.

Additionally, a Drone Knowledge Hub has been established at ACEIoT to support students and professionals working on drone-related projects. Other AI-related initiatives include the establishment of a High-Performance Computing (HPC) facility at the African Center of Excellence in Data Science (ACE-DS), which provides the computational infrastructure needed to implement AI and IoT-based projects.

The University of Rwanda’s integration of AI and IoT into undergraduate curricula further demonstrates its strong commitment to advancing AI and digital transformation in the country.

As a senior academic and mentor, what message would you give to young Rwandan researchers aspiring to follow your path ?

My message to young Rwandan researchers is to embrace emerging technologies that are driving Rwanda’s transformation and offering innovative solutions to community challenges. They are the future leaders and innovators of our country, and it is essential that they dedicate themselves fully to their research to contribute meaningfully to Rwanda’s development.

I encourage young researchers to work hard, collaborate as a team, and openly share ideas that foster innovation. Research is most successful when it is conducted in a team setting, where diverse expertise is brought together to solve specific problems. I also urge young researchers to seek mentorship and guidance from senior researchers, whose experience can provide valuable support along their research journey.