Why embracing technology is no longer a mere option in this digital era

Technology and ICT are the buzz words today. Everywhere you go, someone is eager to point out the advantages that technology offers, including automation of processes, smart components, enhanced personalised communication and generally improving people’s lives. For Rwanda, the access-to-technology element has been achieved: how we use the available technology to improve business, or for the good of service delivery does not appear to be catching up as fast. In a media advisory distributed Thursday, organisers of the this year’s National Leadership Retreat announced that among the deliberations will be how best to promote Made-in-Rwanda products and services as well as improving delivery of set targets. One of the previous set targets includes the use of technology to improve service delivery. As a country that is making technology the centre of its transformation, there is room for improvement in how leaders embrace the ongoing technology revolution. The most effective way leaders can promote technology is to themselves be knowledgeable and effective users of technology. ‘Why lag behind in digital era? On the other hand, think about the water billing system. Why is it that, in this age and era, one still has to physically go to WASAC offices to know how much money you owe? Yes, water bills can be paid using mobile money, but before we pay the bill, one needs to know the amount owed. There are technologies today that can alert users, by SMS, water rationing schedules or when there is a problem with the supply system. Or better still, that can give detailed consumption patterns of users, data that is useful in managing the water. An example is payment for electricity. Not many people remember the days when you had to take a receipt to Electrogaz at the time to get power back on at your house. Today, payment through mobile money is the norm nationwide. Another example is traffic fines. Why, in 2016, does someone who has been given a traffic ticket, have to go to the bank, pay the fine, get the bank slip, go to the Traffic department, present it then searches through thousands of thousands of confiscated car documents to find theirs? And, there is the tourism sector which is a great foreign exchange earner for the country. Why can’t a tourist pay for their gorilla-trekking permit directly online? When one chooses to travel and see the gorilla’s they can make the reservation online. However, the time between the making of the reservation and actual travel, a lot can happen, if they have not made the payment, chances are they can change their mind and opt for something else – after all no commitment has been made, but if they made the payment, chances are they will either travel or postpone if they can’t make it for whatever reasons. These are just a few examples, but service delivery and technology touches almost each and every department, be it justice, education, health, name it. And they probably will catch up as they discover what they are missing out on. Online platforms Online platforms such as Irembo e-Government site that so far has close to 20 online services, should be promoted extensively. Each department should endeavour to have its services online. There is nothing as disturbing as seeing Rwandans, investors or tourists waste time and money having to travel or wait for a service that can be delivered online. One area that should also not be allowed to lag is the private sector. Businesses and brands that are unable to recognise the opportunity, through technology, to speed up positive impact are losing out on profits. This is no longer a leadership issue. It is an economic one. Rwanda recently hosted a Made-in-Rwanda expo, an event that lasted a week. Beyond the expo, there should be an electronic platform or portal where all these products can be displayed. An online expo can go on forever with no limitations. The number of unique or repeated visitors will only rise. Yes, a physical exhibition is a good idea. It has been tested and trusted and makes the manufacturers more comfortable. But what technology is doing, is disrupting that comfort. The strong safety culture explains the apparent reluctance for organisations and businesses to embrace innovative but often unproven technology. But we will hardly achieve our targets or dreams without taking the plunge. Safety should just stop being an excuse for sticking to what we know. Public pronouncement may be one thing, but there is need for definitive cultural and legislative changes to get the best out of digital technology. If the law does not allow businesses and organisations to recognise electronic certificates, why not change the law? Technology waits for no one. In less than five years, you will find a generation that knows nothing but technology, so we may as well make the adjustments now. Adopting legislation to accommodate technological advancements is just as important as the technology itself. In a world where change is becoming the norm, I hope our leaders will act as trailblasers in driving our economy towards the vision of becoming a knowledge based economy through technology – by being purposeful and fearless users, actors and advocates for technology. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Why embracing technology is no longer a mere option in this digital era