Friday, 27 January 2023 

Rwanda hosted the 1^st edition of 2023 Federation of African Engineering Organization (FAEO) Engineering Policy Conference at Kigali Convention center.

Over  200  delegates from across the continent attended the conference deemed  under the theme “UNLEASHING THE OPPORTUNITIES IN AfCFTA IMPLEMENTATION”.

The one day was officiated by the Minister of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure Honourable Patricie UWASE and attended by delegates across African continent.

The 2023 FAEO Engineering conference gave a direction on the dialogue of the engineering role across economic  sectors of every economy. The Presidents of National, Regional and Continental Engineering bodies; Leading experts in various engineering fields; Policy makers/Government representatives; the Private sector; and the Academic discussed on the engineering opportunities in the AfCFTA and Africa in general.

According to the Hon.Minister of State“This conference is indeed vital and has come at the right time when leaders from governments and private sector players particularly on the African continent need come together and seize engineering opportunities in the AfCFTA, assess the constraints involved and plan for future engagements as well as profitable connections.

She also added that Engineering plays a key role in development of every economy; ranging from; technological capabilities, industrial activities, economic growth and human capital. What we refer to by engineering in this context is the process of digesting and combining knowledge, resources and arts to boost innovation in Africa.

During the conference, the FAEO’s 6^th President, Eng. Papias Dedeki KAZAWADI was  officially inaugurated. a Rwandan Engineer  elected during the General Assembly held in January 2020 for a period of two years – with his term office commencing in January 2023.

According to Steven Sabiti, the Executive Secretary of IER, the conference provided a platform for engineering professionals from across the continent to discuss strategies and draw resolutions aimed at defining and concretising their role in building momentum towards ‘the Africa We Want’ which is envisaged in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda

He added that it was an opportune moment for Rwandan engineers to network with their peers across the continent and establish necessary synergies to help them expand their horizons.

The one-day conference was sponsored by the Rwanda Housing Authority that featured panel discussions, high-level break out sessions, and several business-to-business interactive sessions.

Hosting the 2023 FAEO Engineering Conference is crucial in fostering IER’s mandate in Rwanda as a Professional Regulatory Body by Law no. 26/2012 of 29th June 2012 to regulate and guide the activities of all those practicing Engineering Profession in the country and ensure that engineering services delivered conform to and follow established engineering standards of service delivery and best practices.