At a time when becoming a pilot had long been considered a career for only a few people, one that required advanced education and many years of study, the management of Akagera Aviation School in Rwanda says that this profession can be studied in a period of no more than two years. This has enabled many young people to start aiming higher and daring to dream bigger.
Akagera Aviation is the only school in Rwanda officially accredited to train pilots. It is based at Kigali International Airport in Kanombe. The school’s management says that every year it receives applications from people who wish to enroll, but only a very small number are admitted due to strict requirements and limited capacity to train many students at the same time.
The Acting Director General of Akagera Aviation School, Ndayishimiye Joseph, says that each year no more than 20 students are selected from among the applicants after passing various exams, including language tests, general knowledge, and medical examinations. He explains that selection requires having completed at least secondary education, especially in subjects related to mathematics and fields that support technical and technological understanding.
Those who are admitted are required to suspend any university studies they may have been pursuing and begin a new two-year journey dedicated to pilot training. Currently, most of the students study on scholarships provided by the Government of Rwanda as part of efforts to develop the aviation sector, although a few pay their own tuition.
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The Government of Rwanda plans that within the next three years, the number of pilot trainees will triple, reaching nearly 80 students per year. This aligns with the country’s vision to expand the aviation sector, particularly through the national airline, RwandAir, which continues to increase its routes and fleet.
The courses offered at Akagera Aviation award graduates various licenses, including the Commercial Pilot License (CPL), which allows holders to fly civil aircraft; the Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), which qualifies pilots to fly large passenger aircraft; as well as licenses for flying private aircraft. Apart from drone pilot courses, which take a shorter time, all other programs require intensive study, practical flight training, and rigorous evaluation.
Most classes are conducted in Kanombe during the day, but some practical training sessions take place abroad in order to align pilots’ skills with international standards. To be awarded a license, a student must pass all required courses at the specified level. Those who do not meet the required standards are given opportunities to work in other aviation-related fields rather than as pilots.
Over the past 12 years since pilot training began in Rwanda, 106 Rwandans have completed these programs. Remarkably, almost all graduates are immediately employed, mainly by RwandAir, with only a few working for foreign airlines.
On December 18, 2025, Akagera Aviation School awarded pilot licenses to 18 young Rwandans who had completed their training. The school’s management announced that all of them would immediately begin work as pilots at RwandAir, a move seen as a major step in strengthening the country’s aviation capacity.
Some of the graduates spoke to the media, expressing their joy and pride at achieving their dreams, while also sharing messages of encouragement with young people who aspire to become pilots.
Muhorakeye Alice, one of the graduates, is set to become the seventh female pilot at RwandAir. This year, two women were among the graduates, joining five others already working for the airline. She says that flying an aircraft requires much more than simply passing pilot courses.
“Flying an aircraft is not an easy job. It requires good decision-making, serious study, and strong discipline. Being a woman means you have to put in extra effort, but I encourage girls who want to pursue this career to focus especially on mathematics and not give up,” she said.
She added that the first time she boarded an aircraft was to fly it herself, and she realized she had the ability, which made her feel that her dreams had gone even further than she had imagined.
Niyonkuru Dominique, 27, was recognized as the top-performing student in the Commercial Pilot License program. He says he had dreamed of becoming a pilot from a young age and put that dream into action after completing secondary school.
“The first time I flew an aircraft, it was only a 15-minute flight, but I felt the huge responsibility on my shoulders. It was happiness mixed with fear. I believe in my abilities and I want to be a role model for younger people,” he said.
Semigabo Arnaud Bertin said he studied Mathematics, Physics, and Geography in secondary school and later started university, but stopped his studies after being admitted to pilot training. He explained that aviation courses require exceptional dedication because everything must be clearly understood before an aircraft can take off.
All of this shows that in Rwanda, becoming a pilot is no longer a dream reserved for a few people or for those from outside the country. Instead, it is an opportunity open to young people with determination, commitment, and discipline. As the country continues to invest in aviation, Akagera Aviation remains a key pillar in building the future of Rwanda’s air transport sector.
