Carnegie Mellon University Africa

Tech founders in Africa: Don't forget that applications for the Business Incubator Program at CMU-Africa's Innovation Hub close May 20.

Apply today:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5d10PJmdQU175wKf_UOPTaXHAiyTXNmP1te1fhEqimvyXRw/viewform

The Business Incubation Program is a 12-month opportunity focused on helping tech founders in Africa to succeed with their entrepreneurial ventures. Startups entering the Business Incubation Program have a proof-of-concept prototype for their product and a preliminary market assessment. The goal is for startups to leave the program with a revenue generating product that is positioned to successfully compete for additional investment they will need to scale.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! These students came from across the continent to CMU-Africa to learn, grow, and work together for the past two years. The future is bright with Carnegie Mellon University graduates leading the way.

Today is graduation day! Today is the day we celebrate the hard work, dedication, and passion of the Class of 2026.

Watch the event virtually starting at 10:00 am CAT:
https://www.youtube.com/live/PD22FlNAllo

It is a pleasure to have Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, founding partner of Future Africa, at CMU-Africa. Today, he participated in a fireside chat with students, faculty, and staff. Tomorrow he will address the Class of 2026 as keynote speaker for the graduation ceremony.

A unicorn entrepreneur, he is also co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave Inc. From Nigeria, Iyinoluwa has served his country as the youngest member of Nigeria’s Presidential Council on Industrial Policy and Competitiveness and has been recognized as one of the youngest recipients of a national award as the Officer of the Order of the Niger.

Yesterday, the Class of 2026 celebrated in style! The students gathered at a farewell party to mark their accomplishments as they approach graduation this Friday.

It's graduation week! CMU-Africa looks forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 on Friday, May 15. We extend a warm welcome to family and friends who have traveled to Kigali to cheer on our graduates.

You can watch the CMU-Africa graduation virtually.
Save the link for the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/PD22FlNAllo

CMU-Africa student Chisom Ogbogu (MS ECE-AD ‘26) grew up with uneven and unreliable energy in Lagos, Nigeria. Today he is seeking energy solutions for Nigeria, Rwanda, and beyond. He is working with assistant teaching professor Jesse Thornburg on a potential solution for reliable and effective energy for Rwanda and sub-Saharan Africa.

Chisom Ogbogu optimizes use of off grid energy in new research Chisom Ogbogu (MS EAI ‘26) grew up with unreliable energy in Lagos, Nigeria, and today he is working with assistant teaching professor Jesse Thornburg on a potential solution for reliable energy for Rwanda and beyond.

Meet the CMU-Africa Class of 2026 valedictorian, Mustapha Alaba!

Before joining CMU-Africa, he worked as a freelance software developer for companies and startups across more than 22 countries and as a support consultant in Kaduna, Nigeria. He also ran a hub where he trained and mentored young people to become problem solvers, using tech skills as the driving force.

While at CMU-Africa, he balanced his roles as a student, club leader, and teaching assistant, all while contributing to research projects.

He is currently a research associate and has been selected as one of the 2026 AI for Good Scholars for the Innovate for Impact initiative by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). In this role, he will work closely with the ITU to develop and analyze AI use cases, shepherding them toward being featured at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.

Congratulations to Mustapha and the whole Class of 2026! 🎓 The CMU-Africa community looks forward to the graduation ceremony on May 15.

Are you a founder who is interested in learning more about the Business Incubation Program in CMU-Africa's Innovation Hub? Join us for a virtual information session on either May 5 or May 8!

Sign up for a session: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScG-GKSII7y5C_0NXyD5gyRs784mIBm6_jSV8QenaoPBv_tGA/viewform

The Business Incubation Program is a 12-month opportunity for tech founders in Africa. Startups entering the program have a proof-of-concept prototype and a preliminary market assessment. Startups leave the program with a revenue generating product that is positioned to successfully compete for additional investment.

During , CMU-Africa joined Rwandans and the global community in commemorating the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. As part of this period of remembrance, our community visited the Nyamata Genocide Memorial, participated in the Walk to Remember, and hosted two reflective speaker sessions. Marc Gwamaka, Engagement and Outreach Coordinator at Aegis Trust, led a workshop on “From Memory to Responsibility: How Young Leaders Can Prevent the Next Genocide.”

Last week, Dr. Jean Paul Kimonyo, Regional Director at the ICGLR–Levy Mwanawasa Regional Centre for Democracy and Good Governance, delivered a session on “Genocide and Reconstruction in Rwanda,” highlighting key lessons from the past and the pillars that have driven Rwanda’s recovery and transformation. These engagements reaffirm our commitment to reflection, learning, and the responsibility of shaping a more just and peaceful future.