ECL Certification Set to elevate German language education in Rwanda trough The German Language Academy, Der Sprachen Hub

The move marks a new chapter in the promotion of foreign languages, positioning German as a strategic tool for Rwandan youth and professionals seeking global mobility.

The development was announced on Sunday, 21 December 2025, by Mwizerwa Murisa, Founder, Managing Director and Exam Coordinator of the German Language Academy, during a press conference held to officially unveil the launch of the ECL German examination in Rwanda. Murisa said the certification will allow learners to obtain an internationally recognized language credential without having to travel abroad.

“This is a major milestone for us and for the country. Learners will now be able to sit for an international examination and receive a globally recognized certificate while remaining in Rwanda,” he said.

Since its establishment in 2022, German Language Academy has played a growing role in expanding German language skills among Rwandans. According to Murisa, the institution has trained more than 1,000 learners in German, with tangible outcomes already visible in migration, employment, and education pathways.

“We are proud of the impact we have made so far. More than 200 of our learners have already obtained visas, and many others are working in German-funded institutions and at the German Embassy here in Rwanda,” he noted.

Beyond language training for individuals aspiring to study abroad, Murisa explained that the academy also supports Rwandans employed in international organizations linked to Germany, equipping them with practical language skills required in their daily professional work. He added that the academy has established partnerships with several secondary schools across the country, where German is taught through specialized language clubs.

“Through these clubs, young people are introduced to German at an early age. It helps them build confidence and interest in the language long before they reach higher education,” he said.

Although the academy has been operating for three years, Murisa clarified that it is only now officially authorized to administer examinations leading to an internationally recognized certificate. The first ECL examinations in Rwanda are scheduled to take place in February 2026.

One of the beneficiaries of the academy’s programs is Munezero Marie, a former student who is now a staff member at the institution. She described her journey as life-changing, crediting the academy’s teaching approach for her rapid progress in the language.

“I joined the academy with a basic level of German, but the teaching methods here are intensive and effective. In a short time, I gained confidence in my abilities,” she said.

Munezero explained that within seven to eight months, she progressed from level A1 to B2, a leap she attributes to personal commitment and structured learning.

“I studied with full dedication. Moving from A1 to B2 in such a short time made me believe that passing an international exam is possible,” she added.

She said she arrived in Rwanda in April 2025 and immediately enrolled at the academy, where she later began supporting other learners as part of the teaching team. Munezero urged Rwandan youth to take foreign language learning seriously, particularly German, which she described as a gateway to well-paying opportunities abroad.

“Knowing multiple languages is a real advantage today. With German, there are opportunities to study and work in Germany at the same time, and in some programs learners can earn up to 1,250 euros per month,” she said.

She emphasized that while English remains a dominant global language, German offers distinct and growing opportunities for those who master it.

The ECL certificate, issued by the European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages, certifies language proficiency according to internationally recognized standards. It is widely used in applications for higher education, employment, and visas particularly within Europe and confirms a candidate’s ability to read, write, listen, and speak a foreign language at a professional level.

Rwanda becomes one of only five African countries where the ECL certification is offered, alongside Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and the Republic of Congo. Education stakeholders say this positions the country as a regional hub for internationally accredited language training, while opening new horizons for Rwandan learners in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

Mwizerwa Murisa, Director of the German Language Academy, speaks during the press briefing announcing the launch of the international ECL German language examination in Rwanda.

Munezero Marie, a former student and now a staff member at the German Language Academy, says the training she received enabled her to progress from A1 to B2 German proficiency within a short period

Students attend a German language class at the German Language Academy as the institution prepares learners for the first ECL international examinations scheduled for 2026