Rwandan Mathematics Competitions (RMC)

The Mathematics Competitions aim to identify, encourage, and challenge mathematically gifted young students across the country's secondary schools. A key focus is on inspiring young girls to pursue mathematics, bringing students together from all over the nation to confidently tackle mathematical problems in a competitive environment. Beyond providing national exposure, these competitions offer participants the chance to measure their mathematical skills against a broader pool of peers, all striving to qualify for the finals and compete for prestigious prizes.

On the international stage, Rwandan mathematical talents have participated in various competitions. Over the past three years, the Rwanda Teams competed in the Pan African Mathematical Olympiads held in Morocco (2022), Rwanda (2023), and South Africa (2024), as well as the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) during the same period. This year in South Africa, the Rwanda team achieved remarkable success, earning medals that were celebrated nationally. His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, recognized this milestone by hosting the team at Village Urugwiro, underscoring the nation’s pride in their accomplishments.

History of Rwanda Mathematics Competitions

The first Mathematics Competition in Rwanda was organized on March 14, 2018, as part of the inaugural Pi Day celebrations in the country. Due to financial constraints, participation was limited to qualified high school students from Kigali and its immediate surroundings, with 11 schools taking part in the event. Building on this momentum, the Department of Mathematics at the University of Rwanda organized the Rwanda Mathematics Competition (RMC) in 2019 to mark the second Pi Day celebration. Participation expanded that year to include schools from Kigali and six additional districts, increasing the number of participating schools from 11 to 25.

In 2020–2021, the RMC introduced a two-stage format comprising provincial and national levels. The competition attracted 512 participants from 65 schools. In 2022, the event expanded further to include three stages: district, provincial, and national levels. Enthusiasm among participants was evident at every stage, with a total of 1,282 participants at the district level, 453 at the provincial level, and 101 at the national level.

The 2023 competition followed the same three-stage format, and participation increased significantly. That year, 1,612 students participated at the district level, 627 at the provincial level, and 91 at the national level. At the final stage, top-performing students received awards. Additionally, the best students from the RMC 2023 were selected to represent Rwanda in international competitions, including the Eastern African Mathematics Olympiad (EAMO), the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO), and the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO). Rwanda’s teams achieved remarkable success, earning gold, silver, and bronze medals in these prestigious events.

In 2024, the competition was divided into two categories, each conducted across three stages. The junior category attracted 29,603 participants, with 14,926 males and 14,677 females. The first two stages for the junior category were conducted online, while the senior category, which involved 3,737 participants (1,957 males and 1,780 females), held all its stages in person.

Success of the Rwanda Mathematics Competitions

Since its inception in 2018, the positive impact of the Rwanda Mathematics Competitions (RMC) has been evident in several key areas:

Enhancement of Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Participants in the competition have demonstrated significant improvement in critical thinking and problem-solving skills. School leaders report that students who participate in RMC not only improve their own academic performance but also inspire their peers. Sharing competition question papers and celebrating the awards received during events has fostered a culture of excellence and motivation across schools.

Formation of National Teams
Beginning in 2019, winners of the RMC have been selected to form national teams representing Rwanda in international mathematics competitions. Rwanda's first participation in the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) was in 2019, followed by its debut at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in 2021. Rwanda has since participated in both PAMO and IMO three times (2022, 2023, and 2024), with performance levels steadily improving. These efforts ensure continued representation and growth in international mathematics competitions.

Visibility and Representation of Rwanda
Since 2018, RMC celebrations have attracted international speakers and distinguished guests who serve as ambassadors for Rwanda upon returning to their home countries. These guests bring valuable experience in organizing and promoting mathematics. Additionally, Rwanda's national teams have represented the country in prestigious competitions, including PAMO, the East African Mathematical Olympiad (EAMO, since 2023), and IMO, consistently showcasing commendable performance on the global stage.
Rwanda further enhanced its visibility by hosting PAMO 2023, which brought together participants from 33 countries. The closing ceremony, held at Intare Arena in Rusororo in May, not only highlighted Rwanda’s organizational capabilities but also served as a source of national pride and economic benefit.

Scholarship to prestigious universities

Since the start of the competition all the winners in Rwanda Mathematics competitions got scholarships in different prestigious universities. Most of them got admitted to the University of Rwanda and others abroad.

Here is the list of some names of the winners who got admissions to prestigious universities

Honorine Munezero, RMC 2022. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.
Richard Aime Magamabo, RMC 2022. Cambridge University, UK.
Abdulim Karim Mugisha, RMC 2022. California Institute of Technology, USA.
Kwizera Christophe, RMC 2022. Rice University, USA.
Josee Desire Abayo, RMC 2023. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.
Nadine Akimana, RMC 2023. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.
Bel Ami Gisage Warakoze, RMC 2023. Carnegie Mellon University, Qatar.
Alain Irakarama, RMC 2023. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA

Remaining Challenges

During the organisation of the Rwanda Mathematics Competition (RMC), several challenges have been encountered, including:

Provision of Meals and Transport
Securing lunch and transport for students participating in the first and second stages of the competition has been a recurring challenge.
Adequate Prizes for Participants
There is a shortage of funds to provide enough prizes for the top five participants at each stage. Additionally, the inability to reward all participants at the final stage creates limitations in recognizing broader participation.
Financial Constraints for Training and International Participation
Limited financial resources hinder the training of teachers, preparation of national teams for international competitions, and participation in these prestigious events.
Insufficient Skills Among Mathematics Teachers
Many secondary school mathematics teachers lack the advanced skills in problem-solving and critical thinking necessary to effectively prepare students for the RMC.
Shortage of Coaches

There is a lack of experienced coaches for both holiday camps and regular school-based training sessions, which affects the consistency and quality of student preparation.

Main contact and organiser: Dr Celestin Kurujyibwami, Head of the Mathematics Department and the University of Rwanda.

Some of the winners of the 2022 competitions.

Participants and organisers of the 2024 competitions.