ICT sector has continued to fuel the Rwandan GDP growth
The 2014/2015 ICT Backward Looking Joint Sector Review (BLJSR) meeting, Chaired by MYICT and Co-chaired by USAID, brought together all Stakeholders of the ICT Sector including Development Partners, Telecom Companies, Public Institutions and different institutions from Private Sector.
Participants have been also updated on Smart Rwanda Master Plan approved by the Cabinet Meeting held on November 2nd, 2015, Smart Africa Secretariat which will be based in Rwanda and 4G LTE implementation in Rwanda.
It has been revealed that during the fiscal year of 2014-2015, ICT sector has continued to fuel the Rwandan gross domestic product (GDP) growth with a contribution of up to 3%. The sector remains a primary target for foreign direct investment into the country, with 61 million US $ attracted during the financial year. Apart from the importance of the Telecom Sector in terms of revenue generation to the government, the broader ICT sector is also experiencing growth and gaining prominence.
Minister of Youth and ICT, Honorable Jean Philbert Nsengimana said that Government of Rwanda aims at creating huge projects in ICT and attracts more foreign investors.
“We will continue to strengthen conducive business environment in order to create big ICT projects which can attracts foreign investors to bring money and create new jobs related to ICT,” Minister Nsengimana.
Minister Nsengimana explained that, through Smart Rwanda Master plan recently approved by the Cabinet, Rwanda Government aims at attracting ICT investment worth 1 billion US$ and create 100,000 new jobs by 2020.
Mr. Przemek Praszczalek, Deputy Program Office Director of USAID/Rwanda said that Rwanda has made tremendous progress over the last decade in ICT. He added that it is important to acknowledge the fact that the Ministry of Youth and ICT, private sector and academia are really working together and bring the latest ICT solutions to the country.