History
The Pan-African Informatics Olympiad was established through a series of coordinated efforts and developments by several individuals and institutions. This article traces how a continental competitive programming initiative came to be established, from its foundational roots in local programs to the coordination of international expertise and regional partnerships that enabled its realization.
Early Foundations
Hirwa Arnold and Kagaba Etienne were instrumental in establishing the Rwanda Computing Olympiad (RwCO), dedicating themselves to building the foundation for computer science education and competitive programming in Rwanda. Hirwa focused on strengthening the academic structure of the program and developing a network of skilled computing coaches, while Kagaba provided essential support in organizing and sustaining early activities, laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability.
As the initiative expanded, Joel Lee joined the RwCO team and provided crucial support that helped coaches become well-connected and more productive, ultimately making RwCO a reality.
Expansion and Continental Vision
The aspiration to establish a Pan-African Informatics Olympiad existed from the early stages, but its realization accelerated with the involvement of Joel Lee, who played a pivotal operational role in turning the continental idea into a concrete project.
During IOI 2024, Joel served as Rwanda's first Observer, facilitating key connections among African team leaders. His efforts formed the initial network that would later become central to PAIO's creation. He also brought together experienced global professionals to form the International Scientific Committee (ISC) and collaborated with the Rwanda Computing Olympiad Team to establish the Host Committee (HC) and Technical Committee (TC).
The Rwanda Computing Olympiad initiative also benefited from the guidance of advisors including Arun Shanmugathan, co-founder of the Rwanda Math Olympiad, who shared valuable organizational experience from the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad, helping shape the structure of PAIO, and José Esperazano, whose pioneering vision in advancing computer science education contributed to the foundation of the program.
Connections from NAOI 2025
PAIO also benefited from early connections formed during the first North African Olympiad in Informatics (NAOI), held on 19 April 2025. Hirwa attended as Team Leader of Rwanda which participated as a guest, where he gained practical experience and built relationships with organizers and leaders across Africa. Among them was Raouf Ould Ali, one of the NAOI organizers, who later provided important insights and guidance toward the organization of the first PAIO.
These connections further strengthened the continental collaboration that made PAIO possible.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration
In July 2025, Hirwa Arnold served as Rwanda's Team Leader at IOI 2025. Together with Joel Lee, they reinforced relationships among African leaders and strengthened coordination between the ISC and participating countries. This work laid the final structural foundation necessary for a successful inaugural PAIO.
International Scientific Committee
PAIO's success in meeting international standards was made possible by the exceptional expertise and dedication of the International Scientific Committee (ISC). Composed of renowned computer scientists, IOI medalists, and leaders in competitive programming, the ISC played a crucial role in developing and curating high-quality problems that ensure PAIO's alignment with global olympiad standards.
Anton Tsypko — IOI 2017 Gold Medalist, Team Leader of Ukraine
Prof Pedro Paredes — Teaching Professor at Princeton, Head of Portugal International Scientific Committee
Bartosz Kostka — Software Engineer at Google, Member of International Olympiad in Informatics Scientific Committee
Tamio-Vesa Nakajima — IOI 2017 Gold Medalist, Head of Romanian Scientific Committee
Bernard Ibrahimcha — IOI 2023 Honorable Mention, Member of Syrian National Scientific Committee and International Informatics Olympiad in Teams (IIOT) Scientific Committee
Qingyu Shi — Member of Asia Pacific Informatics Olympiad Scientific Committee, Co-President of Universal Cup
We are deeply grateful to these experts for their invaluable contributions in ensuring that PAIO problems meet international standards of quality, diversity, and rigor.
Contributions of Rwanda Computing Olympiad
The establishment of PAIO also relied heavily on the dedication of Rwanda Computing Olympiad.
Jean Paul Elisa NIYOKWIZERWA played a crucial role by developing the official PAIO 2025 website.
Norbert Ndayisenga and Kagaba Etienne contributed significantly to local organization and logistics.
The entire coaching team worked diligently in proctoring, preparing contest environments, and ensuring transparency and effectiveness throughout the event.
Their collective effort ensured that the first PAIO met international standards.
Support from African Olympiad Academy
PAIO also benefited significantly from the African Olympiad Academy, which played a crucial role in preparing new countries for the competition. The Academy created and delivered comprehensive training sessions designed to ensure that participating nations, particularly those new to continental olympiad competitions, were well-equipped and ready for the competitive programming contest.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the coaches and instructors who contributed to these preparation sessions, such as Aman Karunakaran, whose expertise and dedication helped many students and countries prepare effectively for PAIO.
The First PAIO
The first Pan African Informatics Olympiad (PAIO) took place 12–16 September 2025, hosted by Rwanda in an online format. This historic event marked the beginning of a continental initiative to promote excellence in Informatics across Africa.