Academic Esports & Gaming Rally

08.03.2026 – Esports Gaming Rally: 250 Participants @Petit Stade, Kigali.

09.03.2026 – Game Design & Development Training Workshop: 40 participants @UR-CST

The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda to the Nordic Countries has been exploring possibilities to make Esports and Game Design Education accessible to a wider community in Rwanda, leveraging the potential of academic esports as a strategic vehicle for competence development, youth employment and economic growth. In collaboration with the University of Agder (UiA) and University of Rwanda, the first Academic Esports & Gaming Rally will be held in Kigali, Rwanda alongside the Nordic-Baltic Forum scheduled for March 2026. This initiative will pave the way towards embedding Esports into curricula in Rwanda, fostering future generations of game developers, professional gamers and business developers. Beyond entertainment, Esports promote high-demand transversal competences, including digital literacy, complex problem-solving, rapid decision-making, strategic planning, and collaborative teamwork, all of which are critical for future-ready employment in the digital economy. The event will showcase UiA’s Bachelor programme in Academic eSports and Master programme in Multimedia and Game Technologies, fostering collaboration between Nordic-Baltic and East African universities, businesses, and innovation hubs. While the Gaming Rally will attract participants from all walks of life, the training workshop will specifically involve learners with backgrounds in Computer Science, Multimedia Design & Technology, comprising of students in secondary and tertiary education as well teaching staff in higher education.

Expected Outcomes

Increased competence in digital games design & development
Extended academic & business collaboration between Rwanda and Norway in Esports
Increased visibility of Rwanda as an Esports tourism destination

Purpose

The event aims to position Rwanda and Norway as leading partners in the global eSports and Digital Innovation Ecosystem. By hosting a high-visibility eSports & Gaming Rally, the initiative will

Highlight opportunities in the eSports, gaming, and creative technology sectors across both regions
Strengthen Nordic-Baltic-East African partnerships, promoting student exchanges and joint research
Connect academia, industry and policymakers to explore future careers, investments, and entrepreneurial pathways in digital businesses
Demonstrate how collaboration in eSports can power economic growth, innovation and youth employment.

Program

DAY 1: Esports & Gaming Rally (10:00 – 16:00)

Kick-off introducing Academic eSports and Game Technologies
Gaming for Everyone: Playing video games for fun or in competitions (FC26, Rocket League, F1, Brawlhalla, Mario Kart, Beat Saber, Gorn, Gorilla Tag etc)
Nordic-Baltic and East African students engage in eSports mini-game jam, emphasizing design, performance, business & technology themes.
Networking: matchmaking between the public, students, academia and businesses.
Awards presentation to players.
Total Participants: 250
General Public (Amateur & Professional gamers): 80
- University/College students: 90
- High School students: 40
- Primary School pupils: 40

DAY 2: Game Design Workshop (09:00 – 16:00)

Ideation and game concept sprint
Rapid prototyping & play test
Presentation & showcase
Total Participants: 40
- Bachelor’s in computer science: 28
  - UR (CST & CE):12
  - INES: 8
  - Rwanda Polytechnic: 8
- High school students: 4
  - Lycée de Kigali: 4
- Teaching staff in Higher education: 8
  - UR (CST & CE): 4
  - INES: 2
  - Rwanda Polytechnic: 2

Go to the Event Website