Rwanda Launches Professional Training Center for Heavy-Duty Truck Drivers
The Association of Heavy Duty Drivers in Rwanda (ACPLRWA) has officially inaugurated a Vocational Training Center dedicated to enhancing the skills and professionalism of heavy-duty truck drivers. Located in Masoro, Kigali, the center is expected to improve road safety, reduce traffic accidents, and strengthen Rwanda’s transport and logistics sector.
Speaking during the launch, ACPLRWA President Justin Kanyagisaka said the establishment of the training center responds to the growing need for well-trained professional drivers, noting that many road accidents are linked to inadequate knowledge and skills among truck drivers.
“A truck driver should not only know how to operate a vehicle. A true professional must understand the truck they drive, road safety regulations, cargo handling and protection, and their vital role in supporting the country’s economic development,” Kanyagisaka said.
He emphasized that the institution’s primary mission is to produce highly skilled drivers who meet international professional standards, thereby reducing road crashes, protecting road users, and ensuring the safety of cargo and transport equipment.
“A properly trained driver is a more responsible employee. They comply with traffic laws, protect vehicles and cargo, reduce accidents, and deliver quality transport services,” he added.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), the Rwanda National Police Traffic Department, the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA), the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), local government officials, transport companies, and truck drivers’ associations from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi.
Participants described the new training center as a significant milestone for the transport industry, particularly at a time when trade and cargo movement continue to expand across Rwanda and the wider East African Community (EAC).
The center has already enrolled more than 120 trainees in its first intake, reflecting the growing commitment among truck drivers to enhance their professional skills and meet the evolving demands of the transport industry.
The vocational program will run for three months, after which successful participants will receive a professional certification recognizing their competence to operate as qualified heavy-duty truck drivers.
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