Tayo Ajakaye
20 July 2005
Lagos — In its continuous search for accelerated ICT growth, the Rwandan government will focus on developing its Information and communications technologies.
The Minister for Energy and Communications, Mr. Albert Butare said since the country has realised that it does not have much mineral resources, it has decided to make knowledge the base of its economy. To stressed that it is a government policy, Butare declared, "we are embarking on this as a government."
In developing this process, he disclosed that government started with a policy and plan which is propbably one of the best in Africa.
The Minister told a gathering of journalists in Abuja that Rwanda has an IT infrastructure plan. "It is a rolling plan. People are already looking at the next five years," he stated.
Describing how far the government of Rwanda is employing the use of ICT in its businessm Butare said there is already in operation in Uganda, e-cabinet and e-parliament.
Some of the ways to further ICT development which he mentioned include getting companies to assmeble computers locally. This, government believes would bring the cost of computers down. Also, the government is trying to extend its fibre optic link to the provinces. But it could move only as fast as resources allow.
Butare said acquisition of operating licences in Uganda is so swift and so transparent.
He pointed out that the country is in dire need of skills saying, "our skill level is still low. We are busy trying to train many people. In some cases, we are still dependent on expatriates."
He said internet access is expensive in Rwanda as huge amount of money is paid for gateway. Getting to the SAT 3 cable by the landlocked country is prohibitive.
It is to drive the country's ICT growth that from May 1 to 6 next year, it would host an ICT investment summit in Kigali, the state capital.
With the theme, 'Strategies for Sustenable Development for ICT Infrastructure in Africa' the Summit would be held in collaboration with Kemilinks International.
CEO of Kemilinks International, Mr. Shola Taylor said that it was exciting news for his company as this is a further endorsement of the annual event from yet another African country. "Our recent visit to Rwanda also shows that the local ICT industry there is set to interact with their colleagues from other African countries to dialogue and exchange experiences on the issue of investments in this sector for mutual benefit," Taylor said.
ITU already confirmed its ssponsorship of the event. Other sponsors include Telkom SA, ECOWAS, Nigerian Communications Commission, Immarsat UK and South African Communications Forum. Other sponsors include Ugandan Communications Commission, the African Union, Vodacom SA, NITEL, Nigeria, National Communications Commission of Ghana and MTN.
Yet other sponsors are FBN Nigeria, Mtel Nigeria, SABC, Thuraya, NITDA, Ericsson, Eutelsat, THISDAY, Afritech Mobile, Sentech LTD, and NSR&DA, Nigeria.
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