Akilah’s successful employment rates and community-building efforts are made possible through our partnerships with more than 60 employment partners ranging from local businesses to international corporations. Our students and alumni are carefully matched with employment partners to ensure a perfect fit between the private sector demand and the career aspirations of each student. Learn about some of our longtime partners:

Marriott International

Akilah’s oldest partner, Marriott International, has been training and employing graduates since 2012. The Marriott is getting ready to open Kigali’s biggest 5-star hotel, creating a high demand for well-trained, professional staff. Through a strong and trusted partnership, a large share of Marriott’s new employees will be Akilah graduates — so far at least 25 new graduates will join Marriott’s Kigali team.

Amelie Uwumubyeyi ’15, Customer Service Agent at Airtel

ISON BP

ISON BP is a Rwandan company with Indian roots, overseeing all customer related issues for Rwanda’s largest telecommunications firms, Tigo and Airtel. As an Akilah partner since 2015, ISON BP offers employment and communications training to Akilah graduates.

African Entrepreneur Collective

African Entrepreneur Collective (AEC) identifies and supports high potential local entrepreneurs and provides them with capacity building services, mentorship, technical assistance, and access to affordable capital. AEC helps these local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses to create jobs for their communities, countries, and continent. As partners, AEC has worked with four Akilah interns and provides pro bono services to the winners of Akilah’s Business Plan competition.

GARR Hotel

A partner since 2014, GARR Hotel offers employment and great training opportunities for Akilah graduates. Graduates cite good working conditions, good salary levels, and a very welcoming and pro-active management upon employment. Currently, two Akilah graduates are employed by GARR Hotels, with plans to expand the partnership with Akilah’s next graduating class.

Primate Safaris

A busy eco-tourism company in Kigali, Primate Safaris offers both internships and employment to Akilah students. Primate Safaris is navigating a fast growing industry, and students learn in a fast-paced environment with opportunities to grow within the company. Two former Akilah students started as interns with Primate Safaris and are now working as full-time tour consultants and guides to Primate Safaris’ many clients. Primate Safaris has been a trusted partner to Akilah since 2014.

Josette Twizere ’16, intern at AEC

One Acre Fund

One Acre Fund supplies smallholder farmers in East Africa with financing and training, and has employed a number of Akilah graduates in recent years. Aliane Mukesha, Recruitment Manager for One Acre Fund, shared, “We value the relationship we have with Akilah because they give us good talent. Akilah teaches many values: project management, leadership, and entrepreneurship, which are not taught in other universities. They teach their students how to live in society, how to adapt in different situations, how to treat people, and how to be good leaders.”

Each month, we will feature one of our 60+ employment partners, from local businesses to international corporations. Check our blog to read these features!