Rwanda ICT Chamber strengthens commercial ties with Israel

The partnership is an attempt to fast track growth of the ICT sector and the capacity of the players in the sector, according to a statement.

Furthermore Rwanda, hopes to improve capacities, learn new practices, and policies or outright adoption of their technologies.

ICT Chamber chairman, Patrick Kabagema stated, “This year the country of choice was Israel, a country known to many as the holy land but has in recent years also emerged as the birthplace of cutting edge technologies. The startup nation as has recently come to be known because of the success of its startup companies mostly in the West boasts of second position to Silicon Valley with highest number of technology companies listed on the US Nasdaq stock exchange.”

Kabagema added, “In order to jump start our technology ecosystem, we already in discussion with Rwanda government and our Israeli partners to establish three key initiative and projects: first, to create a centre where Rwandans as young as 4 years old can be exposed to emerging technologies; second, establish an incubator/elevator model which will include exchange of skills, knowledge, and joint ventures; last, but not least, the establishment of Rwanda domiciled technology investment funds, which will catalyse the growth of the technology sector.”

Last year Rwanda’s Youth and ICT ministry said that ICT contributes more to the country’s economy than agriculture and mining exports combined.

ICT contributed 2% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) over the last two quarters of 2014, said the ministry.