By Seif Shaggy Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali/Rwanda
The development of German language education in Rwanda continues to show extraordinary momentum, with the number of candidates seeking international ECL certification multiplying significantly in a short period. However, this growth comes with stern warnings for those wishing to learn the language to avoid falling into the trap of unprofessional institutions that provide misleading information or engage in deceptive practices.
During a certificate awarding ceremony for successful German language candidates held on April 19, 2026, organized by Der Sprachen Hub German Language Academy, it was revealed that Rwanda has begun attracting candidates from across the region, including Burundi, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, and Uganda, with additional requests coming from Kenya and Tanzania. This underscores the country’s progress toward becoming a hub for the language within East Africa and beyond.
Mwizerwa Mulisa, CEO of Der Sprachen Hub German Language Academy, stated that while interest is rising, some individuals are being exploited by institutions that promise miracles but lack the capacity to prepare them for international exams.
He noted that some students are lured by low fees at substandard institutions, which ultimately leads to failure.
“People are being misled into believing that paying less will help them learn more. In reality, when you invest little in your education, you often gain very little and that affects your performance in exams,” Mwizerwa Mulisa emphasized.
The CEO further warned the public to avoid institutions promising quick fluency or providing false guarantees of success, stating that such actions are intended to deceive students and hinder their goals of studying or working abroad. He noted that many only realize the consequences after failing exams or missing international opportunities due to poor preparation. He urged Rwandans to be vigilant and report such institutions to protect others from similar experiences.
“There are institutions that simply deceive learners. We call on Rwandans to be cautious and to report such cases so that others are not misled,” he added.
These developments follow the official licensing of the ECL examination system in Rwanda on December 3, 2025, granting Der Sprachen Hub the authority to organize and administer these exams locally. Statistics show that the first session in February 2026 attracted over 70 interested individuals, with 34 candidates registering and completing 96 exam units across B1, B2, and C1 levels.
However, the subsequent session held between April 16 and 19, 2026, saw a massive surge, with interest tripling and the number of registered candidates doubling. During this period, approximately 224 exam units were administered. Additionally, for the first time in Rwanda, the A2 level exam was introduced to accommodate beginner learners.
Successful candidates emphasized that the key to success lies in choosing an institution equipped with proper materials and expert teachers. Mugisha, one of the passing students, mentioned that access to learning resources, teacher support, and consistent preparation were vital to his performance.
Egide Ntihinyuzwa also stressed that learning the language requires sufficient time and commitment.
He remarked: “German is like any other language, it needs effort and time. Serious training gives you an advantage over those who are not well prepared.”
For those wishing to sit for the June 2026 exams, registration opened on April 8 and will close on May 14, with the exams scheduled for June 12 and 13. Successful candidates gain access to international opportunities in German-speaking countries, particularly for education and careers, based on the global certification obtained through Der Sprachen Hub German Language Academy.
