GASABO - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MINAFFET) Monday evening officially launched its website, www.minaffet.gov.rw,   with the aim of linking all Rwandan diplomatic missions and honorary consulates overseas.

The MINAFFET portal was launched by Rwanda Information Technology Authority (RITA) during an event at the institution’s offices in Kacyiru, Gasabo District.

"This portal is in line with vision 2020 that intends to turn Rwanda into knowledge-based economy and this will enable us to be more effective, efficient and communicate faster to with our embassies worldwide,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Rosemary Museminali.

She added that together with RITA, the ministry was working around the clock to install video conference facilities to enable the ministry have virtual communication with Rwandan embassies around the world.

The facility which was developed under the eRwanda Project, will link 19 Rwandan diplomatic missions worldwide and about 30 honorary consulates.

"It is easy to use, has interactive rich information, which will promote the image of Rwanda, it is also purely Rwandan,” Ever Binamungu the CEO of Perspective Multimedia Solution who designed the portal said in his presentation.

Also present at the function was Romain Murenzi, the Minister in the Office of the President in charge of Science, Technology, Scientific Research and ICT.

In his remarks, Murenzi said that the portal was an example of ICT solution which should be applied by all ministries and different government institutions to foster eGovernment.

The government of Rwanda received a grant of US$38million from the World Bank for the implementation of its eGovernment strategy.

This grant was provided under the eRwanda project and is being implemented by RITA and the project focuses on specific activities within the National Information and Communication Infrastructure (NICI II) plan whose role include giving a boost to  good governance.

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