To ease communication and reduce telephone expenses, Rwanda Information Technology Authority (RITA) has introduced a local internet chat tool—IM Intego.

RITA Executive Director, Nkubito Bakuramutsa, said that IM Intego, Instant Messaging Intego, is already developed, but some phases are yet to be completed. Currently RITA offices use it and very soon the public will enjoy the service.

Bakuramutsa announced the development on Thursday at Telecom House, Kacyiru, during a press conference.

Bakuramutsa revealed that IM Intego will work just like IM Messenger.

Advantages to IM Intego users include  reduced communication costs since it will be cheaper than telephone calls; increased productivity through more timely communications; an acceleration of business cycles (for example, there can be real-time collaboration, questions can be answered in seconds, important decisions can be made without face-to-face meeting, less time wasted on information roadblocks thus more time available for actual work); protection against Viruses and Spam and much more.

Intego messenger was among the many RITA projects which were presented to journalists. Other projects included the Isoko programme, which farmers can use to access food prices on their mobile phones.

Bakuramutsa said RITA is helping Rwandans to become "ICT professionals and not mere ICT degree holders” through trainings which build their capacity.

He noted that RITA needs to build a partnership with the private sector, adding that the authority needs to understand the issues the private sector has.

Bakuramutsa also revealed that in order to boost ICT in the country and the role of the private sector, RITA is also launching an ICT Award in two weeks.

Jacob Gahamanyi, the private sector development officer under the Business and Private Sector Development Department in RITA, said the public will nominate recipients online, and the award will encourage the private sector to apply best ICT practices.

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