Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) in collaboration with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on Friday, June 28, launched the Strengthening Rwanda Industrial Standardisation ICT Capacity (SISIC) project. This initiative aims to enhance RSB's capabilities in promoting industrial standardisation and increase technology-driven solutions in the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI).
The project, with a budget of $8 million, will run from 2024 to 2028 and aims to help SMEs in key industries become more competitive. The project aligns with Rwanda's commitment to strengthening its industrial and trade sectors by incorporating strong quality standards and advanced ICT solutions.
By focusing on improving metrology, conformity assessment, and certification services, the project aims to raise Rwanda’s industrial output to meet international standards and enhance competitiveness in regional and global markets.
Jinhwa Kim, the Country Director of KOICA, stated that according to the government's National Strategy for Transformation and Vision 2050, RSB has a detailed plan to implement digitalisation across all areas, including office management and service delivery to SMEs throughout Rwanda.
Kim noted that they are thrilled to provide these digitalisation systems to RSB, enabling it to deliver services more efficiently and with higher quality to beneficiaries.
"We are also going to provide online training courses on the platform to SMEs, so they can easily access high-quality services online,” she said.
"Rwanda is leading among African countries and we want to contribute to enhancing the capabilities of RSB. If RSB excels in standardisation, testing, certification, and metrology, Rwanda's industrial competitiveness will surely increase."
Raymond Murenzi, the Director General of RSB, said: "Our goal is to ensure that the services of RSB are delivered promptly and efficiently. This initiative will lead to significant success by enabling SMEs to access standardisation services through digital solutions. By aligning with the country’s direction for industrial growth and export development, we will facilitate easier access to these services.
"Our plan also includes expanding and integrating technology across all our services, ensuring that businesses can access what they need remotely, without needing to visit our offices.”
Murenzi noted that the project will accelerate development, enabling Rwandan products to reach the international market more efficiently.
"This project will enable the RSB to quickly deliver standardisation services to those in need and allow us to learn from Korea's expertise to enhance our own practices,” he added.
He noted that RSB will conduct training sessions and educate people about quality through online quality education schools. With the establishment of smart classrooms as part of this project, quality standards can be taught to SMEs remotely, eliminating the need for them to travel to access RSB services.
A specialised consortium composed of Solutek Systems Co. Ltd., Korea Standards Association (KSA), and Korea Industry Intelligentization Association (KOIIA) will serve as the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) for the implementation of the SISIC project.