Government, Chinese firm sign partnership deal to promote ICT

The Ministry of Youth and ICT has signed a memorandum of understanding with China ComServices International, a Chinese integrated information and communication technology firm, as part of the efforts to promote the implementation of ICT projects. “We are committed to the advancement of ICT to help improve lives of Rwandans by using and leveraging the possibilities it presents. We are, therefore, looking at the information super highway as a backbone to enabling communication that will further promote Rwanda’s flagship project, Kigali Innovation Village,” said Josephine Nyiranzeyimana, the principal technologist in charge of private sector development at the ICT Ministry. Under the agreement, a community innovation hub, and a data centre with high capacity and information security in Rwanda, among other solutions and services. The deal is also part of efforts to construct an information superhighway in East Africa; a high capacity fibre optic network interconnecting regional capital cities. Liu Fei, the firm’s chief technology officer, said development of ICT supports other sectors like manufacturing. “We believe in ICT development, not only because it ensures informatisation and industrialisation, but also as a way to reduce the digital divide, strengthen the national power, enhance international influence, as well as guarantee national security and drive growth,” he said. He said the firm was impressed by Rwanda’s support for ICT innovation. “We wish to be part of this story that inspiring great innovations. Last year, China announced the China-Africa partnership on information superhighway programme. There is the Smart Africa programme spearheaded by Rwanda. So, we want to devote efforts to these projects.” China Comservice, which is part of China Telecom Corporation, is one of the largest telecom infrastructure service providers. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Government, Chinese firm sign partnership deal to promote ICT