The creation of the Kigali Medical University (KMU) has the full backing and support of the Rwandan government. Letters of support from President Kagame’s cabinet director and the ministers of Health and Education are appended. The goal is to raise a total of $10 million. The majority of these funds will come from private foundations that have exhibited a strong history of involvement in efforts to improve the health and education infrastructure in Africa. The Development Bank of Rwanda has recently announced a $1 million loan/grant to KMU.

KMU has been working in concert with the Rwandan ministries of Health and Education in developing the curriculum to be taught in English. Rwanda has recently converted its entire education system from French to English.

The President of the Gates Global Health Program, Dr Tadaka Yamada, has called upon universities in wealthy countries to help in the creation of medical schools in Africa. A relationship between KMU and a major American university is in development.

Construction is nearing completion on the first of 3 five-story academic buildings that will form the core of the medical campus. There are also plans in development to build a 4000-square-meter addition to the existing Gitwe Hospital to enable it to continue providing medical care for 285,000 Rwandans, as it now does, as well as serve as a facility for the clinical experience for the upperclassmen of KMU. Students will be admitted on the basis of merit alone, regardless of gender or any other considerations.