Rwanda Hosts 2nd Shenmo Africa Cup, Inspiring a New Generation of Young Mathematicians
The sound of clicking beads filled the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV) on October 18th, 2025, as Rwanda hosted the 2nd edition of the Shenmo Africa Cup Abacus Mental Maths Competition. The event brought together more than 337 children from 30 African countries, including over 250 Rwandans, to showcase their mental calculation skills and celebrate an innovative approach to learning mathematics.
Uwitonze Brigitte, Principal of Shenmo Education Rwanda, said the competition aimed to inspire a love for mathematics among children. “We want learners to see that math can be fun, practical, and fast. The abacus develops children’s brains, not just memorization,” she explained.
Founded in Beijing, China, the Shenmo Education model uses the ancient abacus to help learners visualize numbers and perform rapid mental calculations. According to Mr. Li Mianjun, President and Global Founder of Shenmo Education, “Out of 14 ancient Chinese calculation methods, only the abacus has survived for over 2,000 years because it begins with something concrete—the beads. It builds confidence, precision, and creativity.”
Mr. Li noted that Shenmo has been active in Rwanda for six years, training hundreds of learners and introducing the abacus to schools. He announced plans to work closely with the Ministry of Education to train Rwandan teachers in China and distribute abacuses across the country.
State Minister of Education, Irere Claudette, praised the program for enhancing learning experiences. “This method, known as the gymnastics of the brain, improves children’s concentration and confidence while making learning enjoyable,” she said.
Dr. Mbarushimana Nelson, Director General of REB, highlighted the program’s impact on cognitive development. “It strengthens critical thinking and creativity—skills needed for success in the 21st century,” he remarked, noting the sharp rise in Rwandan participants from just three in the previous edition to over 250 this year.
Eight-year-old Ruzika Guiza Ela from Gloria Academy expressed her excitement: “The abacus helps me solve math problems faster. I felt confident about winning today.”
Through its partnership with Shenmo Education, Rwanda continues to nurture a generation of confident and skilled young learners ready to transform the future of mathematics in Africa.
By: Florence Uwamaliya
