KIGALI - Rwanda Development Board/Information Technology (RDB/IT) yesterday signed an agreement with the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) that will see the two agencies forge a partnership to transform Kigali International Airport, Kanombe into an ultra-modern ICT supported airport.

The open ended MoU will see RDB/IT set up a modern Flight Information Display System (FIDS), Aeronautic Message Handling System (AMHS), Vehicle Parking Automation Extension of Satellite Distribution 2G, Capacity Building, E-documents and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems on the perimeter fence of the airport.

The signing between the RDB Deputy CEO in charge of ICT, Nkubito Bakuramutsa, and the Director General of RCAA Dr. Richard Masozera will also through the Karisimbi Project, have the two institutions collaborate to build a Communication Navigation Surveillance and Air Traffic Management capabilities that will enable RCCA to provide reliable services.

"We seek to encourage and further our amicable relationship through the exchange of know-how and comparative advantage aimed at improving capacity for both institutions to achieve our respective missions” said Bakuramutsa.

He said that the two institutions are keen on providing a wide range of airport solutions based on modern technologies to raise the standards of the country’s airports in a long term.

"The initial projects which are more urgent, like the modern parking facilities and flight management systems, will cost around US $1m, to start with but we don’t have a specific amount in this open-ended MoU,” Bakuramutsa said adding that they will be looking at bigger projects in the next two or three years.

Masozera commended RDB/IT for looking towards transforming the airport into an ICT-based airport to the standards of other major international airports.

"Aviation development is one of the areas the government has prioritised in the Vision 2020. We all know that IT is very central in making one take the necessary steps and leaps required,” said Masozera.

"We hope that this collaboration will not only enable us to catch up if not to takeover from our neighbours in having the most modern airport and on the continent.”

He emphasised Rwanda’s strategic location in the central part of Africa as placing the country in better position to compete favourably with others.

The understanding is also aimed at improving the country’s aviation services within the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for East and Southern Africa as well as double the Rwanda’s aeronautic revenues as a result of secure and safe skies.

Kigali International Airport is currently the country’s only international gateway and is one of the 17 airports identified by the Economic Commission for Africa as a future hub network on the African Continent.

RDB/IT (formerly RITA) has been working with RCAA for the last two years on the Karisimbi Project aimed at streamlining flight management systems and satellite surveillance of flights and air traffic.

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