Irembo’ (e-Government Platform) has not only improved service delivery through good governance but has also become a source of employment to Rwandans. Irembo was created by RwandaOnline Platform Limited, a private technology company with a vision of becoming a catalyst of transformation in Rwanda through technology. Through ‘Irembo’, the Government now offers better, quicker, and more convenient services to its citizens. Some of the services offered on the platform today (visit www.irembo.gov.rw for more) include, land transfer, criminal Record clearance certificate, driver’s licence-related services, birth certificates, certificate of being single, marriage certificates, Death registration, among others. According to Bernard Habarugira, an Irembo agent in Kimironko, Irembo is not only providing government services, it also came with job opportunities. Habarugira is charged with helping citizens to access and use this platform. This job has helped him be able to afford basic needs and improve his livelihood. “Being an agent helped me to grow my business and get an extra income through the commission . I am now able to have some savings, which I could not afford before,” he added. He went on to outline some of the advantages that the e-Government platform offers, including the automation of processes, ‘smart’ components, enhanced personalised communication and generally improving people’s lives. “Through ‘Irembo’ Rwandans can apply for government services, pay and wait for the service from the local government office. They can go to the sector to collect the requested document, after receiving a message acknowledging that the document is ready, without going back and forth between different service providers,” he said. The initiative has also helped reduce bureaucracy tendencies, “Irembo helps local leaders deal with some of the services which makes their work easier and thus enables them to deliver services faster using ‘Irembo’. Today, ‘Irembo’ offers 33 government services, which citizens can access by simply visiting the ‘Irembo’ website while 13 of the services can be accessed on a mobile phone, using a USSD application (enter *909# and follow prompts). Once application is complete, payment can be made via: MTN Mobile Money, TIGO Cash, Airtel Money, Visa, MasterCard, or through BK branches. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
