Rwanda’s mobile industry has joined forces with the GSMA to drive mobile Internet adoption and increase digital literacy in the country.
It was announced at the ‘Mobile 360 Africa’ event in Kigali that local operators Airtel and MTN will commence a programme of activity around digital inclusion as part of the GSMA’s ‘We Care’ initiative in Rwanda. It was launched in collaboration with Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), supporting government efforts to boost ICT penetration and digital services across the country.
“I am glad to see the mobile operators, Airtel and MTN, coming together to work towards a common goal that will be beneficial to society,” said Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT & Innovation of Rwanda.
“Smartphones are important ICT tools that can be used to access key digital services: education and information, healthcare, financial services, amongst others. Increasing digital inclusion in Rwanda will therefore go a long way in empowering our citizens and we are looking forward to a sustainable collaboration.”
Akinwale Goodluck, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA, added: “The agreement marks an unprecedented collaborative action by Rwanda’s mobile industry to harness the power of the mobile Internet to empower citizens and deliver on the promise of a ‘Digital Rwanda’.
“Digital skills are a prerequisite for people to get online and enhance their lives through digital services. Through We Care, Airtel and MTN are taking significant steps to accelerate digital inclusion across the country.”
