Making a difference

Carnegie Mellon University Africa students are trained within an African context and equipped to make a transformative impact in their communities and beyond. Over the past decade, our alumni have driven remarkable change across diverse fields, including IoT, renewable energy, and cybersecurity.

Equipped with a world-class education, practical experience, and strong innovation mindsets, CMU-Africa alumni pursue diverse trajectories that contribute meaningfully to Africa's digital and economic transformation.

Connect with our alumni

Contact Rosine Urujeni to connect with CMU-Africa alumni and learn more about our alumni impact across the continent

After graduation each year, a new class of CMU-Africa students joins a thriving alumni community, achieving success in their pursuit of the next phases of their careers:

  • Employment: 94 percent of alumni secure employment within one year of graduation, the majority of whom work in Africa applying their skills in digital innovation in sectors such as finance, education, energy, health, and agriculture.
  • Further education: Our graduates have been admitted to top doctoral programs around the world, including in the United States and Europe.
  • Entrepreneurship: Alumni have also founded and participated in impactful tech startups across the continent (such as Intellex, Mvend, and HOVA AI), often with the support of CMU-Africa's startup hub, the Innovation Hub.

Alumni news

Academic Security Operation Center meets growing cybersecurity needs

The Academic Security Operation Center, operated by the CMU-led Upanzi Network, is meeting cybersecurity needs in Rwanda and beyond through its focus on real-world security operations, research, and workforce development.

Building defense against adaptive computer viruses

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way that many people approached their work across the globe. For CMU-Africa’s Jema Ndibwile, it changed the way he viewed a whole different type of virus: a computer virus.

Presenting CMU-Africa research around the world

Research on bias in AI facial recognition systems led Ntung Ngela Landon (MSIT ‘26) to Sapporo, Japan, to present at the IEEE Cryptography, Security and Privacy Conference.

Alumnus sets out to train 1 million Africans in cybersecurity Opens in new window

CMU-Africa alumnus Jean Pierre “Petero” Niyodusenga is on a mission to help train one million African youth to work in cybersecurity to ensure Rwanda meets its goal of becoming a secure, knowledge-based economy.

SLS Energy celebrates five years of growth at CMU-Africa

Co-founders of SLS Energy Léandre Berwa (MS ECE ’20), Chris Karera (MS ECE ’20), and Patrick Ntwari (MS ECE ’20) celebrated five years of the company’s growth by hosting an event at the Innovation Hub, where SLS Energy began in 2021.

Personal loss inspires creation of Check Me

Inspired by the loss of his sister to breast cancer, CMU-Africa alumnus Yuyun Francies Berinyuy and his co-founder created Check Me Ltd, an AI-based app designed to promote early detection of breast cancer.

Championing engineering at CMU-Africa and beyond

Kevin Rudahinduka (MSIT '14) reflects on his career and advocating for engineering practices and solutions all the way to the chief executive office.

Getting out of your comfort zone

Natasha Mutangana (MS EAI '24) reflects on her experiences at CMU-Africa and with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

CMU-Africa Alumni Association

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