Rwanda ranking among the Top Global Reformers

Rwanda becomes a full member of the organisation called African Telecommunication Union (ATU)  thus accepting the ATU convention. Jean-Philbert Nsengimana the Minister for Youth and ICT affirms  this would be beneficial to the country.

The minister of Youth also explained the draft law, that was adopted recently by the Cabinet, approving the ratification of the convention of ATU.

In 1999, ATU was created in Cape-Town, South Africa in order to promote inclusion of information society, positive collaboration with the institutions for computer technology research and development with a special focus on African nations.

Rwanda has been known as one of the founding members of the ATU Union, Rwanda has never been a permanent member but previously chosen to be an ‘indirect observer.’

However, the Bill is yet to be vetted and passed by Parliament of Rwanda.

African Telecommunication Union (ATU), has just made a decision by changing the Constitution that expressed the need for all its members to go through the ratification process afresh, so Rwanda made a decision to rather become a full member.

According to Nsengimana “The Union drives Africa’s views on a number of issues of international relevance in the telecom sector. Shifting from being an observer to full membership in ATU will enhance our participation,” adding that Rwanda was a member of ITU Council and fully participates in decision making at that level.

The government of Rwanda has had a quest to make Rwanda the ICT hub of Africa. Since year 2000, the government has been establishing institutions and mechanisms to create an enabling environment for ICT development, on top of wooing investors and global forums to push its development agenda as well.

According to businesses, it will also push for innovative projects and strategic plans of action to leverage the existing policies and initiatives, which would aid in the support of its public members to have a fast and efficient access to information communication systems.

The head of ICT chamber “Alex Ntale”, at the Private Sector Federation, said that having such unions and other similar forums had been supportive in the execution of their daily plans, encouraging that all stakeholders should safeguard a win-win approach.

He went further to state that “Such unions are there to promote standards and help businesses connect and grow. For example, with the support of the International Telecommunication Union, we managed to enable access to connection, and have progressive ranking on the Internet and mobile penetration.”

Moreover, Alex Ntale added that “Such forums also help in negotiations on establishment of effective cost in the communication sector, which equally helps the growth of businesses in the sector.”

He gave an example of the Northern Corridor, “Where countries managed to set up a One-Area Network which has seen the scrapping of roaming charges. It is through such frameworks that those kinds of initiatives emerge, where key stakeholders seek a win-win approach.”

In recent times, Rwanda has been ranking among the top global reformers in the World Bank Doing Business report on ICT, among other sectors.  Rwanda leaders attribute this to several reforms, including online business registration, thus making the business environment more conducive.

Recently, senators in a report, commended progress of the sector in recent years.

Few of the people that commented was Senator Jacqueline Muhongayire who said “Despite some critical challenges, the country strives to integrate ICT usage in many sectors”

Also she said, “for example, Internet accessibility had reached 3.7 million, equivalent to 33.5 per cent of the population, however in 2015, the number of mobile phone subscribers had reached 7.6 million, translating into 77.8 per cent of the population.” Undoubtedly, these changes are geared towards more positive growth ahead.