Nziza Global Rwanda Celebrates 5th Annual Certification Ceremony
On January 31, 2025, Nziza Global Rwanda Formerly known as Nziza Training Academy marked an
important milestone in its mission to transform the professional landscape across the country, with
its 5th Annual Certification Ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda.
The ceremony highlighted the dedication of the 284 professionals who joined Nziza’s Autodesk,
Midas, Prota Software, Bentley and Microsoft training programs in 2024, with 169 participating in-
person at the Kigali venue and 115 joining through Nziza’s e-training platform. A significant number
of graduates came from esteemed companies and institutions, including NPD, REG, RTDA, GASABO
3D, and King Faisal Hospital, as well as universities like INES Ruhengeri, University of Rwanda-CST,
and RP-Musanze College.
While Nziza celebrated the success of its graduates, it also acknowledged that not every trainee
completed the program. The rigorous standards required for certification meant that some
participants did not meet the necessary requirements, with 13 trainees found to be ineligible and 39
failing to submit their final projects. Despite these challenges, the overall success rate of the
graduates reflects the center’s commitment to excellence and its dedication to nurturing
professionals who are ready to make a meaningful impact in their industries.
A Legacy of Excellence and Transformation
The ceremony, graced by distinguished guests including immediate past president of Federation of
Africa Engineering Organizations (FAEO) Eng. Kazawadi D. Papias, the Guest of Honor, and Sabitii
Steven, the CEO of the Institution of Engineers Rwanda, the keynote speaker who underscored Nziza
Global’s continued commitment to bridging gaps left by traditional education systems.
The ceremony was also attended by other engineering and education officials such President of
Rwanda Organization of land surveyors, Director of partnerships at Chancen International, HoD of
Mechanical and Energy Engineering at University of Rwanda, and others.
For nearly a decade, Nziza has been dedicated to filling the skills gap in the AEC and manufacturing
industries by offering specialized training in cutting-edge software such as Computer-Aided Design
(CAD), Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Building
Information Modelling (BIM), and various engineering tools.
A Commitment to Quality and Excellence
Nziza’s training programs are a direct response to the need for highly skilled professionals who can
leverage modern technology to drive innovation in the industry. In his speech, Senior COO, Nzirorera
Alexandre emphasized that Nziza’s training programs are far from “cheap or simple.” Unlike other
short-course offerings, Nziza’s programs are internationally certified and demand a high level of
dedication and rigor from participants. While some trainees may expect a quick and easy
certification, the center stands firm in its belief that true excellence cannot be achieved through
shortcuts.
Address of CEO of Institution of Engineers Rwanda
In his keynote address, Sabitii Steven, began by offering heartfelt congratulations to Nziza Global for
the exceptional work being done in advancing professional development in the engineering and
infrastructure sectors. He commended the center's continued dedication to equipping professionals
with the skills necessary to drive innovation and excellence in these industries.
Steven then shifted his focus to the growing importance of Building Information Modelling (BIM)
practices, emphasizing the need for serious and sustained efforts to integrate BIM technologies into
Rwanda's infrastructure projects. He acknowledged the commendable steps some companies have
already taken by investing in BIM training for their teams as their well going to be certified, marking a
significant shift toward more efficient, data-driven construction processes.
However, he urged that these efforts must continue to expand, stressing the importance of fully
integrating BIM across the entire lifecycle of Rwanda’s major infrastructure projects. He called for a
collective commitment to ensuring that, in the coming years, BIM will be an integral part of all large-
scale construction and engineering activities in Rwanda. According to Steven, the full-scale
implementation of BIM will not only enhance the efficiency and quality of infrastructure
development but will also solidify Rwanda’s position as a leader in adopting modern, sustainable
construction practices in the region.
His call to action emphasized that the future of Rwanda's infrastructure lies in adopting innovative
technologies, and he encouraged all stakeholders to collaborate and invest in BIM to drive the
country’s growth and development.
Address of the immediate past president of FAEO
In his keynote address as the esteemed Guest of Honor, Eng. Kazawadi began by sharing his personal
connection to Nziza Global, recalling how he first knew the center back in 2018. At that time, Nziza
was facing significant challenges in convincing the Rwandans and industry professionals of the critical
need for the skills it sought to impart. Despite these obstacles, Eng. Kazawadi expressed his
admiration for Nziza’s vision and capability to AEC professionals that learning never end.
He went on to express his genuine joy and honor at being invited to serve as the Guest of Honor for
this milestone event. Reflecting on his longstanding awareness of Nziza's journey, Eng. Kazawadi
spoke with enthusiasm about the center's remarkable progress and growth over the years. "It has
been truly exciting to watch Nziza evolve," he said, noting how he had kept a close eye on the
center's continued success in advancing cutting-edge training programs and helping to shape the
future of the industry.
Drawing on his 30 years of engineering experience, Eng. Kazawadi, shared valuable advice with the
graduates. He emphasized that success in their careers requires more than just technical skills.
Graduates should surround themselves with five key people: a mentor, cheerleader, coach, peer, and
friend, each playing an essential role in their personal and professional growth.
He also highlighted the critical issue of corruption in the infrastructure sector, urging graduates to
uphold integrity and fight corruption in all its forms. He stressed that ethical conduct and strong
support networks are vital for ensuring long-term success and contributing positively to the future of
infrastructure development.
The Road Ahead
For the graduates, the ceremony marked both an achievement and a challenge. Our Senior COO
reminded them that the journey to excellence is ongoing, as the technologies they have learned will
continue to evolve. “Your skills are a foundation upon which you can build your careers,” he said.
“But remember, this is just the beginning. The industries you serve are constantly changing, and it’s
up to you to keep pushing forward.”
As Nziza Global celebrates its 5th anniversary, it looks forward to continuing its mission to drive
digital transformation and elevate Africa’s AEC sectors. The graduates are now empowered to go out
into the world as ambassadors for change, carrying the knowledge and skills needed to shape the
future of engineering and construction in Africa.
Congratulations to all the graduates of Nziza Global’s 5th Annual Certification Ceremony. Your
success is an evidence to your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. We look
forward to seeing the impact you will make in the years to come.
