Rwanda’s strides to build a regional ICT hub

Rwanda has positioned itself as a regional hub for information and communication technology (ICT) with a robust ICT industry, including e-commerce, e-services, applications development, and automation. It is believed that ICT will be harnessed to generate wealth and be a key economic driver. As part of its policy goal to progressively transform Rwanda from a predominantly agriculture economy to a predominantly information-rich, knowledge-based economy (PIKE), the Government committed itself to the implementation of the envisaged four rolling NICI/ICT4D Plans over the 20 year life-span of Vision 2020 and the ICT4D Policy.

Most ICT initiatives are being speared headed by the Rwanda Development Board as iconic symbols for Rwanda’s hard drive to become an ICT hub.

 Nation backbone and fiber network

MEN AT WORK: Rwanda is laying out the fiber network across the nation. (photo/courtesy)

Many people in Rwanda are now accustomed to seeing out channels by the roadside as efforts to build a fiber network nears the final phase. It is part of the national vision, to boost the ICT Sector through implementing the NICI (National Information Communication Infrastructure) Policy and Strategy Plan.

The second NICI Plan II, which runs up to the year 2010, has identified 10 main pillars. One of the major pillars for its successful roll-out is “Infrastructure, Equipment and Content”.

Within the framework of the “Infrastructure, Equipment and Content” pillar of NICI II, the Government is establishing a robust nationwide broadband backbone, using optical fiber cables (OFC) to ensure that public institutions and citizens at large can benefit from modern ICT investments.

 ICT Bus Project

LEADING THE WAY: ICT buses like this one are transforming rral areas by acting as mobile cybercafes. (photo/courtesy)

ICT Buses to bridge the digital divide in Rwanda The ICT Bus Project – an initiative being implemented by the eRwanda Project, is acting as mobile telecentres to help bridge the digital divide affecting the rural populations of Rwanda. It will be a mobile computer lab that will benefit farmers, traders, students, women, youth groups, entrepreneurs and other rural based Rwandans.

The ICT Bus Project is composed of buses with 20 computers each to provide access to information through Internet and other multimedia facilities especially in rural areas where there is no electronic power and therefore access to ICTs is minimal.

The buses are also equipped with printers, a photocopier, a scanner and other necessary ICT multi-media facilities.

 Karisimbi Project
Karisimbi project has been set up with a plan to provide high quality in communication navigation surveillance, telecommunications, and FM radio and television coverage in the country. Mt. Karisimbi is a strategic point with a great potential to play a significant role in enhancing broadcasting capabilities. It is expected to offer increased radio and TV coverage in the country, better frequency spectrum use; broadcasting interference free and better image quality and delivery of triple play services (audio, video, and data) using DVB-RCT or the combination of DVB-T and WiMAX Technologies It offers possibilities for the implementation of enhanced Telecommunication in the country.

This will increase sky safety in the air space of Rwanda and in the regional air space in general, it will also attract more carriers to come in Rwanda with positive impact on social economic development. The Karisimbi project has two main projects, broadcasting and Communication Navigation Surveillance/ Air Traffic Controller project. Both projects depend on the infrastructure located at the Mt. Kalisimbi, for easy and efficient deployment of all range of services to their intended beneficiaries.

The infrastructure is the building block of the project. The existing infrastructure includes a 50m tower, with both Electric and Optic Fiber Lines. With the Optic Fiber Cable already installed for the project, it is currently connecter to the National Ring. Civil Works are currently being carried out on the Mt. Kalisimbi site to improve on the conditions of the Housing Units, Water Management System and also the Waste Management system and the Helicopter landing ground will be increased in size.

 ICT Park

PLACE FOR IT INNOVATION: The building houses ICT campanies, Computing Centre and other IT offices for RDB. (Photo/courtesy)

Rwanda’s efforts to create an information-rich, knowledge-based society and economy led to the creation of Kigali ICT Park to act as a center of innovation, production and showcase of Information and Communication Technologies.

The ICT Park has taken over Telecom House Complex situated in the Kacyiru area of the fast growing city of Kigali. It has three components, namely:

• Technology Production and Showcase for established ICT companies (both local and international) whereby companies are offered office space and other services at a minimal cost;

• The Incubator where great ideas are nurtured and grown into ICT businesses. A range of support services has been put together, including: technical, administrative, legal and access to venture capital; and • A Multi-disciplinary Center of Excellence in ICT (MCE-ICT), where R&D work in cutting-edge technologies is conducted.

We believe the three components are complementary and they have been put in the same premises to exploit the synergy between them.

 Community Telecentres

EASING ACCESS: Telecentres provide IT facilities especially in rural areas. (photo/courtesy)

The Rural and Community Access (RCA) unit has gone a step further to bridge the ICT gap existing between the rural poor and the urban dwellers by implementing the ICT knowledge-based projects.

These are Multi-purpose community telecenters established across to the countryside, to create internet access for the 94 % of the population residing in rural areas.

With 12 pilot project telecenters completed so far, the ground has been softened to rollout more telecenters and ensure that each of the 30 districts accommodate at least one telecenter.

 Government Shared network
The government has also set a Shared Wide Area Network – GovNet to inter-connect all the public agencies into a secure and reliable Government Intranet, to provide a common Internet gateway for all public institutions and to facilitate civil and public service-wide information access, interchange and exchange.

 Local Government Portal and district websites (e-Districts Portal)
The eRwanda Project is developing a Local Government Portal which includes websites for 26 districts and one provincial website. The portal will be the gateway to all district and provincial websites.

IT Equipment for districts including computers, printers and digital cameras All under-equipped districts are being offered computers, printers and digital cameras. By 2008, 12 districts were already offered 15 computers each, one network printer and a digital camera.

 Standardized Local Area Networks for districts
Local Area Networks (LANs) that are standardized are being installed in the districts to enhance communication and information sharing.

The benefits of these LANs will be: resource sharing, common applications are network aware, centralized data storage, centralized security, easy communication.

 Capacity Building for district officials

ENGAGING THE OLD: The government has connected district and local offices to the Internet. (photo/courtesy)

All district officials are being trained on basic and advanced computer application and literacy. District IT Officers are also being equipped with the technical skills necessary to effectively maintain and secure the ICT infrastructure in the districts.

 e-soko
e-SOKO Project seeks to empower farmers to enable them make more informed market pricing decisions and ultimately more successful farming. This Agricultural Market Pricing Information System will also significantly enhance the Ministry of Agriculture – MINAGRI’s interaction with the farmers and traders as well as the planning function.

 Telemedicine
Referral hospitals like King Faisal and Butare University hospitals have already started offering specialized treatment through telemedicine. The telemedicine project started in 2003 and is intended to expand access to medical services to areas with limited health resources.

 One Laptop per Child

INVOLVING THE YOUNGER: Rwanda is acquiring smaller laptops (OLPC) for pupils. (photo/courtesy)

Rwanda is among few African countries that have initiated the One Laptop per Child project aimed at deploying 120,000 laptops across the country. OLPC has also set up a major learning center in Rwanda, the Center for Laptops and Learning, which aims to serve the educational and learning needs of countries across Africa. The biggest strength of this project in the country is the incommensurable commitment.

Compiled by Fan Club Team

	Rwanda’s strides to build a regional ICT hub Eh fans, ICT is the way to go. I think our nantion took the right stand to promote ICT countrywide. Our grand sons and daughters will feel all benefits of the bold move that the government being taken today. By Ganza on Sunday 11 July 2010.
	Rwanda’s strides to build a regional ICT hub I want to share my experience: I started my career in 2000 as a media person, but later realised that the world was moving pretty fast on the ICT front. I made a resolution to get involved using my already communication skills. I’m now a specialist of sorts in managing web content. I’m sure many young people have developed a career out of the new ICT trends. I thank the government for throwing the challenge at us. By Nsengiyumva on Sunday 11 July 2010.
	Rwanda’s strides to build a regional ICT hub I had a chance of entering one of the ICT buses and it was a good experience worth talking about. The buses have comfortable seats, well equipped with new computers and Internet is pretty fast unlike in most cybercafes. By Francois on Sunday 11 July 2010.
	Rwanda’s strides to build a regional ICT hub Guide me on how the esoko project works or benefits farmers/dealers in agribusiness. thank you By fanny on Sunday 11 July 2010.
	Rwanda’s strides to build a regional ICT hub Please can anyone tell us the schedule/calendar for the ICT buses? When do they visit a particular village. By Faruk on Sunday 11 July 2010.
	Rwanda’s strides to build a regional ICT hub Dear Fan, you may visit the e-SOKO website to learn more about it. Just for general knowledge, farmers or you ever is interested, can get current market prices of agricultural products on phone. By Admin on Sunday 11 July 2010.
	Rwanda’s strides to build a regional ICT hub Ikoranabuhanga rizatugezaha aheza. We’re on the right track. By Jackie on Sunday 11 July 2010.
	Rwanda’s strides to build a regional ICT hub All developed nations transitioned using/through technology and I’m sure Rwanda made a right decision to harness ICTs in order to build a technology and knowledge-based economy. By Fergie on Sunday 11 July 2010.
	Rwanda’s strides to build a regional ICT hub Don’t be left behind, join the ICT train. Our President has done a good job trying to introduce many ICT initiatives that benefit the nation. By JP on Sunday 11 July 2010.
	Rwanda’s strides to build a regional ICT hub Umuyobozi mwiza arangwa n’ibikorwa byubaka igihugu. Rwanda, like all nations, needs ICT to develop major sectors like education, health, economy and agriculture. By Jean Marie on Sunday 11 July 2010.
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