From Kigali to Global Opportunities: German Language Graduates Earn International Certification
The leadership of DER SPRACHEN HUB, a German language training school, has awarded certificates to students who successfully passed the international ECL examination.
The graduation ceremony took place on April 19, 2024, at the school’s headquarters in Nyarugenge District, Kigali City. The recipients—predominantly Rwandans—had completed the ECL (European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages) exam and were awarded certificates based on their proficiency levels in German.
Graduates expressed gratitude to the school’s management for their dedicated support throughout the preparation process, noting that it played a crucial role in helping them achieve the results needed to pursue their career aspirations.
One of the graduates, Mugeni Divine, highlighted that beyond the cost of learning German, the language opens doors to diverse job opportunities both within Rwanda and abroad—particularly in Germany.
“I came to study medicine,” she said. “When you study such a profession abroad, you often don’t pay tuition fees. It’s important to focus on your long-term goals rather than just the cost of learning. And even then, the fees are relatively low compared to the benefits you gain.”
Mwizerwa Mulisa, Director of the German Language Academy in Rwanda, emphasized the growing awareness among Rwandans and residents about the availability of quality language education within the country, reducing the need to travel abroad for such studies.
He also noted a major milestone: students in Rwanda can now sit for internationally recognized ECL exams locally and receive valid certification without leaving the country.
“Previously, students would complete German language courses but had no access to ECL examination centers,” he explained. “Many had to travel abroad, which was costly. Now, they can obtain internationally recognized certificates right here at home.”
On December 21, 2025, it was officially announced that Rwanda would host the ECL international examination in German. According to the academy, 34 candidates sat for the exam in February 2026, while participation more than doubled in April, reaching 224 candidates.
Registration is currently underway for the next ECL exam session, scheduled for June 12–13, 2026.
Today, Rwanda has become a regional hub for ECL certification in German, attracting candidates not only from East Africa but also from countries such as Zimbabwe and Cameroon, who travel to Kigali to take the exams.
By NYIRANGARUYE Clementine