• Rwanda becomes the first African government to sign a multi-sector AI partnership with Anthropic.
• Government developers gain access to Claude and Claude Code, along with training and API credits, to integrate AI across public institutions.
• Partnership includes AI education for hundreds of thousands of African learners via ALX, strengthening continental AI capacity.

The Government of Rwanda and AI research firm Anthropic have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deploy artificial intelligence across multiple sectors, marking the first government-wide AI initiative of its kind in Africa. It was made public in an announcement by the firm on February 17, 2026. Under the agreement, developer teams across Rwanda’s public institutions will receive access to Anthropic’s AI models, Claude and Claude Code, alongside capacity-building programs, hands-on training, and API credits. The partnership is aimed at enhancing government digital services while supporting broader efforts to integrate AI into health to fight cervical cancer and malaria, education, and other public sector functions.

According to the MOU, Rwanda will also leverage this collaboration to provide AI education through ALX, targeting hundreds of thousands of learners across Africa. The program seeks to equip the next generation of African developers with AI skills, preparing them to implement AI-driven solutions in public services, private enterprise, and emerging technology ecosystems.

Dr. Jean de Dieu Rurangirwa, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, highlighted the significance of the initiative: “This partnership positions Rwanda as a continental leader in AI adoption for government and education. By providing our developer teams with the tools and training to leverage advanced AI models, we are laying the foundation for smarter, more efficient public services.”

Anthropic CEO, Dario Amodei, said, “Our collaboration with Rwanda demonstrates how AI can be safely and effectively integrated into government operations. Access to Claude and Claude Code, combined with structured training, will empower public sector teams to build AI solutions that address local challenges, from health diagnostics to educational support.”

Under the three-year MoU, Anthropic will provide Rwandan government developer teams with hands-on access to its AI tools, Claude and Claude Code, enabling them to build, test, and deploy AI applications across multiple public sector areas. The program includes structured capacity-building workshops, guided training sessions, and ongoing technical support, giving developers practical experience in applying AI to sectors like healthcare, education, and public services. Alongside training, participants will receive API credits, allowing them to experiment with Claude’s generative and coding capabilities in real-world scenarios. By combining direct tool access with mentorship and skill development, the initiative aims to empower Rwanda’s public sector teams to integrate AI solutions efficiently, safely, and at scale, fostering a pipeline of in-house expertise that can support broader digital transformation goals.

The initiative represents a strategic step in Rwanda’s broader digital transformation agenda, aligning with the country’s Vision 2050 goals and its commitment to positioning Africa as a hub for AI research and innovation. By combining public sector capacity building with continental AI education, Rwanda is creating an integrated ecosystem where developers, policymakers, and learners can collaboratively explore and deploy AI technologies.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang