The inaugural Transform Africa Summit in 2013 saw participating countries launch a smart Africa manifesto that sought to put information and communication technology (ICT) at the centre of their socio-economic transformation. 

Nine African states represented at the summit and ICT partners such as International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and AU Commission began implementing the manifesto with an aim to further connect sub-Saharan Africa.

Countries signatory to the initiative include Burkina Faso, Gabon, Kenya, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Chad and Uganda.

Through the initiative, the countries were keen on unlocking the potential of ICT in sustainable development.

Among the highlights of the manifesto were that nations would; put ICT at the centre of their development agenda; improve access to ICTs especially broadband; improve accountability, efficiency and openness through ICT and prioritise the private sector to boost the industry.

Part of the agenda in the 2015 summit slated for next week will be to evaluate progress made by countries and the continent at large in promoting ICT uptake.

Since the 2013 summit, Rwanda has made strides in implementing the manifesto, with the most outstanding progress arguably in private sector promotion. Investments

Players in the sector say that since the previous Transform Africa Summit, which attracted more than 1,500 delegates from all across the world, there has been growth in opportunities for the local business community in the country and beyond.

Alex Ntale, the executive director of the ICT chamber of the Private Sector Federation, told The New Times that the manifesto has also seen improvement of the ICT ecosystem in the country facilitating the emergence of new firms.

"There has been an increase of over seven internet service providers since Transform Africa Summit 2013, all hinged on 4G Internet as a result of the launch which was held in 2013,” Ntale said.

"This in itself has increased internet access to the business community whether in ICT or not. The Smart Africa Alliance that was launched is also opening up opportunities for Rwandan companies to do business in the member countries.”

Following the summit, the private sector umbrella body has seen member organisations establish presence in multiple countries in the region as well as partner with multi-nationals.

Executives of top corporations such as Microsoft, Samsung, Facebook and IBM also were present at the previous summit and consequently pursued deals with local firms.

Among local firms that have grown from such partnership is Vision Technologies, which is now a regional distributor for Samsung products.

Facebook also entered into a deal with the Rwandan government to develop an online education experience for university students.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) estimates that since the previous summit, ICT investments in the country have risen to over $150 million with a large number of them if not all attributed to the summit.

Paula Ingabire, the head of ICT investments at RDB, said the summit had helped showcase the opportunities that the alliance had facilitated.

Way forward

Nsengimana said by hosting the event, the country expects a lot of prospective investors from all across the world who could pursue opportunities in the country. The conference is also expected to contribute to the nation’s ambitions of becoming an ICT hub in the region. 

"In this year’s conference there is a lot of interest from Asia, Europe and beyond. Since all the key decision makers will be in one place,” Nsengimana said. 

Also in this year’s summit, Ntale said there will be products and services launched and platforms that will provide Rwandan businesses with the opportunity to expand their markets. The government will also strategically reach out to potential investors through panelists in the various sessions, exhibitions and Business to Business matching not only showcasing opportunities but also incentives and support structures in place. 

Services rollout

Beyond the promotion of the ICT sector, the manifesto has also facilitated an initiative, Smart Kigali, aimed at modernising the lifestyle of Kigali city dwellers and visitors through use of ICT for better service delivery.

The initiative enabled provision of free broadband WiFi Internet access in public places that include commercial buildings, bus Stations, airport, in public transport buses and cabs and also improved internet connectivity and access.

Other major developments that have been experienced in the ICT sector born from the previous summit’s recommendation was improved connectivity through the 4G LTE.

Through a partnership between the Government of Rwanda and Korea Telecoms, - that make up Olleh Rwanda Networks, Rwanda was among the first countries on the continent to launch 4G technology on a commercial basis.

The network is expected to cover 95 per cent of the population by 2017.

While launching the online platforms for registration of participants, the Minister for Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, said advancements had been made in internet roll out across the country as well as ensuring affordability.

Currently, about 30 per cent of Rwandans are connected to the Internet, and, with multiple players in the market, Internet service is affordable to most users.

The Affordability Report, produced by the Alliance for Affordable Internet placed Rwanda top in the list of the African countries with the most affordable internet and top 10 globally.

In socio-economic transformation, the ICT sector has facilitated the development of other sectors as well as provision of services by other agencies.

Among the sectors that adopted ICT in the rollout of their services is the financial sector in line with rollout of a cashless economy, which encourages the public to utilise the multiple payments systems available, including mobile money.

In line with improving accountability, efficiency and openness through ICT, Rwanda Online Platform Ltd, a private company was contracted by the government to build and manage a platform to about 100 government services online.

The platform, dubbed "Irembo,” is now offering online registration for provisional and definitive driving tests, application for a birth certificate and application for a criminal record.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw