Mathematics Competitions
The CoRE-Math Mathematics Competitions programme connects and strengthens mathematics competition activities across the network. It aims to stimulate young people’s interest in mathematics, encourage them to continue their studies—particularly in mathematics and related disciplines—and identify and develop mathematical talent.
Across the network, competition activities range from long-established national programmes involving thousands of students to newer national and regional initiatives. CoRE-Math does not organise or own all of these competitions. The programme provides a framework for mapping existing activities, strengthening connections between them, supporting new initiatives where appropriate, and developing regional cooperation and expertise. Competition activities are complemented by training for students and competition coaches.
Mathematics competitions have a long history in several CoRE-Math countries. South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia all have established traditions of school mathematics competitions. Alongside these, newer initiatives have developed through collaboration between mathematicians in Africa and Europe. Beginning with the Rwanda Mathematics Competition in 2018, this collaboration has contributed to new national competitions, training activities and eventually the establishment of the East African Mathematical Olympiad (EAMO).
A central figure in these newer Africa–Europe initiatives has been Paul Vaderlind of Stockholm University, who initiated the collaboration and has worked with mathematicians in the participating African countries to develop competitions and regional cooperation. Paul continues to serve as an adviser to EAMO.
National competitions
National mathematics competitions vary considerably across the CoRE-Math network, both in their history and scale.
The South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO) was established in 1966 and has developed into a large national competition for secondary-school students. It consists of junior and senior divisions and provides a pathway towards further olympiad training and international competition.
In Uganda, national mathematics contests have a long history and close links with Makerere University and the Uganda Mathematical Society. The competitions now extend from primary school through secondary school to university level. In 2025, 20,626 students participated, compared with 17,913 in 2024. Strong performers can progress to regional and international competitions, including EAMO and EAMO-J, the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO)—the continental mathematics competition for secondary-school students representing African countries—and the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
In Kenya, the present Kenya Mathematical Olympiad has been organised since 2009 with the involvement of the University of Nairobi. It provides opportunities for secondary-school students across the country and contributes to the identification and preparation of students for regional and international competitions.
In Zambia, mathematics competitions form part of the country’s long-standing Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS) programme. JETS dates from 1968 and has strong historical links with the University of Zambia. Mathematics Olympiads are now organised at primary, junior-secondary and senior-secondary levels.
Tanzania also has a longer tradition of school mathematics competitions than the present Tanzania Mathematics Olympiad (TAMO) might suggest. The Mathematical Association of Tanzania has organised mathematics contests for school students for many years, while more recent initiatives have sought to expand participation and strengthen the pathway towards regional and international olympiads.
The Rwanda Mathematics Competition
The Rwanda Mathematics Competition (RMC) began in 2018 with 11 schools in and around Kigali. The initiative was developed at the University of Rwanda in collaboration with African and European partners, including AIMS Rwanda, EAIFR-ICTP and the UR-Sweden Programme, with Paul Vaderlind playing an important role in developing the competition.
From this relatively small beginning, RMC has grown into a nationwide competition with district, provincial and national stages. In 2024, 29,603 students participated in the junior competition and 3,737 in the senior competition—more than 33,000 students altogether. The competition also provides a pathway to further training and regional and international competitions.
Rwanda has other mathematics competition activities as well, involving organisations including AIMS Rwanda. RMC should therefore be seen as part of a broader and developing mathematics competition environment in the country rather than as Rwanda’s only mathematics competition.
New Africa–Europe initiatives
The experience from Rwanda contributed to further collaboration around mathematics competitions. In Ethiopia, a new national mathematics competition was established in 2022 through collaboration between Ethiopian mathematicians and European colleagues, again with Paul Vaderlind involved in developing the initiative.
These activities have involved more than organising competitions. An important objective has been to develop expertise within participating countries in setting problems, preparing students and coaching competition teams. ISP has also supported training for African competition coaches and trainers, with external support from Jane Street, to strengthen regional expertise in olympiad mathematics and problem-solving.
East African Mathematical Olympiad
The East African Mathematical Olympiad (EAMO) was established in 2023 as a regional mathematics competition for students representing countries in East Africa. It was created to strengthen regional cooperation, provide talented students with an opportunity to compete with their peers from neighbouring countries, and help develop the pathway from national competitions towards continental and international olympiads. The first EAMO was coordinated from Rwanda and brought together participants from seven countries.
EAMO complements rather than replaces national competitions. Students are identified and prepared through activities in their own countries before participating at regional level. The competition also creates connections between mathematicians, teachers and competition coaches across national borders.
A junior competition, EAMO-J, was introduced in 2024, extending this regional opportunity to younger students.
EAMO has subsequently developed into a regional structure involving mathematicians from universities and mathematical organisations across East Africa. Together, the national competitions and EAMO provide a progression towards PAMO, which brings together national teams from across Africa, and ultimately competitions such as the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
Developing mathematical talent
Competitions are only one part of the process. Students need opportunities to develop their mathematical abilities through problem-solving sessions, camps and other forms of training. Teachers and competition coaches likewise need access to problems, teaching material and opportunities to exchange experience.
Developing this capacity within Africa is therefore an important part of CoRE-Math’s competition activities. The longer-term aim is not simply to increase participation in competitions, but to use mathematics competitions as one way of encouraging young people to study mathematics and related disciplines, while creating opportunities for particularly talented students to develop further.