200,000 to benefit from ICT literacy campaign

At least 200,000 people are expected to benefit from the first phase of a five-year massive literacy awareness campaign to promote and build citizens’ capacity and knowledge in ICT.This campaign is being led by the Ministry of Youth and ICT in collaboration with other ministries, including local government and education, among others.The private sector, telecommunication companies, ICT firms and financial institutions are taking an active part in the campaign that kicked off in Rulindo District, Northern Province.The first phase of the campaign will take at least six months, according to officials from the ICT ministry and all stakeholders, mainly district authorities, are required to play a leading role.“At least each district should be able to train 6,000 people and there must be efficient means to examine that these people have really benefited from this campaign,” said Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Youth and ICT Minister. He called on district authorities to ensure that operators of tele-centers are effectively serving the public. The minister added that the campaign was also aimed at bridging the digital divide, arguing that it will lead to transformation and improvement in economic activities in various communities.“The use of ICT should not only be left to the educated, but should also be used by every Rwandan, including farmers, as it will keep them updated in terms of businesses or market prices for their products as well as getting information about government programmes,” he said.In his address, the mayor of Rulindo District, Justus Kangwagye, said that a lot had been achieved in building the capacity for the population to embrace ICT.“Currently, we have five tele-centers and this is one of the key factors that has enabled us to give chances to the population to acquire ICT skills,” Kangwagye said.The launch attracted various government officials and representatives from the public and private institutions.Aime Bosenibamwe, the Governor of Northern Province, was among the officials at the event. He called on the public to effectively take part in the various activities that will be carried out during the campaign.