Rwanda looks to model Africa’s digital future

Subject

Rwanda's model for tech sector advancement.

Significance

President Paul Kagame in December hosted the inaugural ‘Kusi Ideas Festival’ in Kigali, which brought together political, business and civil society leaders from across Africa with the ambitious goal of forging a new set of African-led ideas and policies for the continent’s development over the coming century. In his keynote address, Kagame spoke about Africa’s need for structural economic transformation, deepening economic integration and a vast expansion of its technology sector. He also framed these in terms of a new and distinctively African knowledge economy, which would enable the continent to forge its own, unique position within an increasingly globalised and digitalised world.

Impacts

• The tech sector will have a crucial role to play if Rwanda’s economic success is to continue into the medium term.
• Digital infrastructure and products could help landlocked Rwanda expand its trade and offset non-tariff barriers to its exports.
• Regional tensions and insecurity will continue to threaten Rwanda’s development progress.