The Ministry of ICT and Innovation in partnership with GIZ Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development Program (DSSD) launch the Digital Transformation Center that is expected to be a support for Tech Start Ups, a creative place where Rwandan and African tech solutions can be developed, prototyped and tested.

The Digital Transformation Center is a Rwanda-German initiative aimed at developing impact driven digital solutions, developing the local eco-system capacities, and replicating and scaling-up digital solutions at regional and continental level.

The project aims to establish structures and capacities for the development, implementation and dissemination of digital solutions for Rwanda and Africa.

Minister of ICT and Innovation; Paula Ingabire who was the guest of honor, commended the partnership between Rwanda and Germany and thanked GIZ for being very supportive in Rwanda’s vision of transforming into a knowledge based economy but most importantly the country’s vision of becoming innovation hub for the continent.

“As we launch the digital center, we really hope that there are different entrepreneurs that are going to hosted here, innovators, because this is a co-working space where they are going to be sharing ideas. This is going to be a center that creates impact driven solutions that play a very fundamental role for some solutions that we are creating.” Says Minister Paula Ingabire.

GIZ Country Director to Rwanda, Bodo Immink says that the center is going to become a physical space for digitalization efforts of Rwandan, German development cooperation and its partners in general.

“Rwanda has made tremendous development over the last years with regard to economic growth, digital development, and access to education, just to mention a few. It was the first African country to formulate a precise strategy on digital development. Through digital development, we are confident to promote, sustainable, economic and social development which is a central focus of Rwandan, German development cooperation.” Notes Bodo Immink.

The Digital Transformation Center which is located in Gasabo District; Kacyiru Sector, aims at supporting the digital transformation process in all phases, from the initial idea and solution concept to the implementation and introduction of digital process chains and business models.

Additionally, the Center will be a mix of innovation, research, entrepreneurship and training on specific specializations such as blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI).