Focus Media (Kigali)
Timothy Kisambira
12 November 2008
The importance of ICT for the development of the country has been underscored with the first ever Intego awards for excellence in ICT. The Intego awards, organized by the Rwanda Information Technology Agency (RITA), are in line with the National Information and Communication Infrastructure (NICI) plan.
One of the winners receives his trophy. (photo Timothy Kisambira)
The awards recognized over 20 companies, public policy makers, technocrats, institutions of higher learning and civil society that are influential in the progress achieved in the country's ICT sector.
The awards were divided in various categories, with MTN Rwandacell winning in Infrastructure; BCR in INFO-structure, as well as Business Solutions; Maraba Coffee in Agriculture; New Artel in best Internet Provider; ORTPN in Tourism; SMS Media in Business Outsourcing; Nyamata Tele-center in Bridging the Digital Divide; Dash-S-Technologies in best ICT Startup Company; Alink in Highest Export Potential; National University in Education; Health Unlimited in Infotainment; Gasabo-3D in Foreign Direct Investment; Tracnet in best Health Solution; Immigration in best Government Solution; and EICT in ICT training.
"If we are to achieve vision 2020, we need to join the farmer in his fields to help improve his farming methods. When we achieve this, I think our vision 2020 will have become a reality," Prime Minister Bernard Makuza said at the occasion, adding that the challenge in ICT is to improve and innovate.
He further remarked that by the year 2020, every primary and secondary school will have internet, and that telephone services will be available in all rural areas in accordance with the government policy.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of ICT, saying that the 21th century is defined and driven by the information highways and ICT-added services.
The director general of RITA, Nkubito Bakuramutsa, for his part, pointed out that the awards are proof that the public and private sector in Rwanda are now in the same league to push the Vision 2020.
"This is just the beginning, yet it shows the strong commitment to ensure that the ICT sector in Rwanda develops and remains strong," the DG said.
ICT is one of the key sectors identified by the government to drive the country's economy. According to the Minister in the President's Office in charge of Science and Technology, Romain Murenzi, Rwanda is very close to achieving its Vision 2020, especially when it comes to the objective of turning the country into an ICT hub.
"We hope that in the next couple of years, we shall be the regional leader in this sector," Murenzi said. To this end, he announced, in the next year alone Rwanda will invest US$ 100 million, about 3% of the GDP, in the development of the ICT sector.
According to the Minister, ICT technology should have been deployed countrywide by the end of next year, and all citizens should have access to it. As an example, he mentioned that video-conferencing facilities should be easily accessible all over the country.
Minister Murenzi concluded that the Intego awards are significant in stimulating economic development and transforming the country into that knowledge-based economy and that ICT is significant in developing human resources and will ensure that the country capitalizes on the major benefit of the global computer revolution.
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