Talent Search in Africa - Rwanda National Math Olympiad (NMO)

Identifying and nurturing high-potential individuals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is central to expanding innovation capacity and promoting inclusive economic growth. National Mathematical Olympiads (NMOs) are a rapidly growing yet understudied mechanism for early talent discovery, particularly where traditional signals of ability are noisy and access to advanced training is uneven. While prior research documents the long-run success of top performers in high-income contexts, little is known about how NMOs function in LMICs, what constrains their effectiveness, and how their impacts scale. We will partner with the Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad (RMO), which has achieved substantial reach within a decade, engaging roughly 50,000 students across more than 800 schools each year. The pilot experiment will test mechanisms that improve teacher engagement, strengthen coordination with NMOs, and expand equitable access to advanced training.