East African Digital Race

In attempt to increase city tourism, business and travel, Rwanda’s capital city Kigali has turned out unveiling free wireless internet access in popular areas within the city for business users and tourists.

Under the ‘Smart Kigali’ initiative, a public-private partnership between the City of Kigali, the Rwanda Utilities Regulator, the country’s mobile service provider, Rwanda Hotel and Restaurant Association and Rwanda Development Board, the agency in charge of marketing Rwanda as a tourist destination; access to free Wi-Fi has been rolled out in public parks, restaurants and designated commercial buildings in the capital.

Smart Kigali also aims at assisting people, especially visitors in using the already established online direction navigator that demands the newly named streets and home address information on Google maps while also facilitating online payments.

Specific areas which the new initiative covers include Union Trade Centre, Kigali City Tower, Kigali City Market, Centenary House and downtown hotels and restaurants. Service providers Tigo and Airtel are leading the internet accessibility initiative.

Fifteen of Kigali Bus Services’ large buses have also been equipped with the service.

A masterplan of Kigali City under Vision 2020. [photo/topboxdesign.com]

The country’s Vision 2020 hopes to transform Rwanda into a middle-income country and move from an agrarian economy into an information-rich, knowledge-based society by 2020.

 

Allow me to quote from Rwandan Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana

 

Mr Nsengimana argues that Smart Kigali is not a project to benefit only the elite who can afford smart gadgets but will extend to the majority of Rwandans after the government launched Vizio, a programme that will see it negotiate with manufacturers and banks to offer smart gadgets to low income citizens.

He also noted that though Internet is being provided free of charge, telecommunication companies stand to make gains as more hotels and businesses come on board. The government has also established necessary infrastructure by way of a fibre optic cable throughout the country.

I believe from Rwanda experince other East African countries will learn and follow what they are implementing though the challenge is still high especially to rural dwellers who most of them have no knowledge about ICT.

All the Best Kigali