The East African Mathematical Olympiad (EAMO) is an annual high school mathematics contest designed primarily for Eastern Africa countries. In establishing EAMO, we seek to follow the tradition of regional competitions that have been highly successful in Western countries, where such contests have long served as a platform to nurture talent and foster collaboration.
The Eastern Africa mathematical community agreed that a regional competition would be of crucial value in enhancing the appreciation of mathematics, preparing students for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), and promoting further high school education in STEM subjects. EAMO also enables young contestants to meet, collaborate, and share their passion for mathematics.
Mathematics education in Eastern Africa has long been dominated by rote learning, memorization of formulas, and reproduction of classroom methods. This system often discourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, leaving many talented students underprepared for global competitions.
EAMO directly addresses this challenge by introducing problem-solving and discovery-based learning, equipping students with the tools to approach mathematics with creativity, resilience, and innovation. It also serves as a preparatory platform for continental and international competitions such as the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) and the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
Unlike PAMO and IMO, which cater only to senior students (above 15 years), EAMO includes both senior and junior students, with juniors required to be at most 15 years old by January 1 of the competition year. This dual structure builds a stronger pipeline of talent from an earlier age while ensuring gender balance and equal opportunities.
Since its inception in 2023, EAMO has successfully organized three editions, each showing steady growth in participation, diversity, and impact.
Attracted 48 students from 7 Eastern Africa countries—Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. Among these, 29 were male and 19 female, an encouraging representation of gender balance in STEM.
Participation grew to 83 students (44 male, 39 female) from 8 countries. Notably, a guest team from Bhutan (Asia) joined, broadening the scope of the competition and enhancing cultural and academic exchange.
A total of 22 coaches (14 male, 8 female) from across Eastern Africa were trained online over 8 months by experienced IMO leaders from Europe in mentoring, moderation, and evaluation. Alongside this, 69 students (37 male, 32 female) competed, with coaches gathering in Kigali for hands-on training. This ensured immediate application of skills, laying the foundation for sustainable growth of mathematics competitions in the region.
These statistics reflect not only a consistent increase in participation but also deliberate efforts to promote gender inclusivity and strengthen regional collaboration.
The fourth edition will be hosted at Makerere University, Uganda, and will feature participation from 10 countries: Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Bhutan. Uganda as the host, together with Kenya and Rwanda, will participate physically, while the remaining countries will join online due to budget limitations that do not yet allow air travel.
Each country will be represented by a team of 7 senior students and 5 junior students, accompanied by newly trained coaches who will mentor participants while also developing their professional skills through capacity-building. While the current model combines both in-person and online participation, the long-term vision is to make EAMO a fully onsite competition with hosting responsibilities rotating among different countries.
Through EAMO, we seek to:
Popularize mathematics in society by showcasing its relevance to everyday life and inspiring public appreciation for problem-solving and innovation.
Identify mathematically talented youth at an early stage and provide structured pathways for them to develop their skills through competitions and mentorship.
Strengthen the professional capacity of coaches by offering training in moderation, evaluation, and mentorship during each edition.
Promote regional collaboration and networking by bringing together students, coaches, and regional coordinators annually.
Influence curriculum and education policy by demonstrating the value of problem-solving and discovery-based learning.
Build a sustainable talent development ecosystem that supports students in accessing high-quality STEM education locally, while contributing to Africa's long-term growth in science, technology, and innovation.
EAMO is more than just a competition—it is a movement to transform mathematics education in Eastern Africa. By nurturing problem solvers, empowering teachers, and fostering collaboration across borders, EAMO is building a vibrant community of young minds prepared to shape the future of science, technology, and innovation on the continent.
