Our Blog
ICT skills today and tomorrow – Sharing insights from the training needs assessment for ICT professionals in Rwanda
The Rwanda private ecosystem is hungry for future skills related to emerging technologies, according to a TNA study conducted by the Rwanda Tech Association (RTA) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in 2013-2014. Based on the findings, 85% of respondents highlighted the skill gaps as a significant obstacle that hinders them from effectively doing their job. Therefore, the DigiCenter supported a study to identify existing ICT skills in the ecosystem, skill gaps and a roadmap to close these skill gaps. The findings are available in the training needs assessment report and free to anyone for further reference.
The Innovation of Smart Cities – Introducing an Inclusive City
What comes to mind when you think Smart Cities? Usually, people would associate the term with modernization and technology taking over. Instead, Smart cities could be defined as the innovation of urban areas that use a variety of digital solutions to improve infrastructure, modernize government services and facilities, increase accessibility, drive sustainability, and accelerate economic development.Â
Study Trips – How escaping familiar surroundings can improve learning
Over the past few months, Digital Transformation Center has had the amazing opportunity to collaborate and support the travel of our partners to attend the Ghana Digital Innovation Week and a training organized by the Mashav Caramel Training Center in Israel. Both these trips were initiated and aimed at giving people insight on skills development and strengthening collaborations and partnerships with the different stakeholders outside of their familiar surroundings.
How Rwanda’s AI policy helps to shape the evolving AI ecosystem
Rwanda’s Artificial Intelligence ecosystem is growing which creates the need to define ethical standards for the use of AI through an AI Policy. Read here how this will enable Rwanda to channel AI’s transformative power while mitigating the risks and ethical concerns that the technology entails.
Achieving Information Access Equity Using AI in the Fight Against Corona
To address the spread of the pandemic in low- and middle-income countries, BMZ together with partners from the EU Commission, other EU member states, tech-companies, and civil society, organized a hackathon dubbed the #SmartDevelopmentHack. Read here how one of the winning teams developed an AI Chatbot to fight the covid-19 pandemic in Rwanda.
Funding your startup: 5 Instruments you could explore in Rwanda
Raising capital to finance the startup’s operations is undoubtedly one of the most challenging tasks of any founder. The challenge gets even bigger for African founders. According to The Better Africa: tracing success and failure of African startups report by the GreenTech Africa Foundation, more than 50% of African startups that shut down have never received any external funding. Furthermore, the majority of startups cannot scale their markets because of the scarcity of funding opportunities. In this article, we will explore the various instruments you could use to secure the required funding for your startup.
Promoting Digital Literacy through the Digital Ambassadors Program and the e-learning platform atingi
Digital Literacy is a corner stone to turn Rwanda into a digitized and knowledge-based economy in the upcoming decade. At the same time, not everyone has access to digital services yet or does not know how to use them. Therefore, GIZ supports the Government of Rwanda to promote digital literacy initiatives such as the Digital Ambassadors Program and the e-learning platform atingi.
Gender Mainstreaming as a cross-cutting Enabler for the Digital Transformation in Rwanda
Women are still disadvantaged in many areas and are numerically behind their male counterparts in some sectors. This is particularly true in the STEM sector, where women are still underrepresented. To change this, the Government of Rwanda and DigiCenter are jointly driving initiatives with a strong focus on gender equality.
Start A Factory Program – Effective and Sustainable Product Development
Many engineers and startups have ideas that could change the world but lack the infrastructure to make them a reality. That is why the Start a Factory Program was created with the goal of assisting startups and young innovators to turn their visionary ideas into prototypes. This creates a perfect opportunity for the vital step from the first idea until a tangible prototype that is ready for industrial production.
How COVID-19 pushes new Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications
Virtual and Augmented Reality has gained international attention due to the limitations of physical meetings imposed by COVID-19. More and more decision makers are recognizing the potential of this technology. Read in this article, how the DigiCenter supports the VR/AR community on the ground and local developers and applications in Rwanda.
DigiCenter through the years – Collaboration and partnerships for a greater good
Often, individual projects can make little difference due to limited reach and connections. In 2017, the Digital Transformation Center in Rwanda emerged as a pilot for collaboration between the Rwandan government and the private sector. Nowadays, 5 projects are part of the DigiCenter, and numerous Rwandan government agencies, innovation hubs, and tech startups are working with the DigiCenter. As we celebrate our 2-year anniversary, we look back at the DigiCenter’s journey.
DigiCenter Innovation Lab – Innovation happens when ideas create value
A physical space where ideas based on Internet of Things technology can be tried out is a great support and financial relief for startups. This allows them to check for the time being whether an investment is worthwhile and to test and further develop prototypes with the necessary technology. For this purpose, DSSD has set up an Innovation Lab at the DigiCenter and has now opened its premises to interested entrepreneurs.
The Role played by Communities of Practice in the Tech-Ecosystem
Our communities of practice are made up of individuals who are passionate about a certain topic and willing to share knowledge and exchange ideas with each other. Despite being unable to hold meet-ups for the past couple of months due to Covid-19, the groups remain active with information and opportunities; some even holding online meet-ups every now and then.
How open innovation paradigm makes a start-up ecosystem more successful
A successful tech ecosystem has the ability to bring innovation to market and engage key stakeholders. This article explores how open innovation can be a driver for a thriving ecosystem. Moreover, the Open Innovation Program is presented which helps startups to fine-tune their business model and to be more successful in the market.
On the way to digitizing Rwanda – RISA’s 5-Year Strategy
Digitizing entire sectors and turning Rwanda into a digital economy takes special attention to developing and implementing ICT policies. This mandate is held by RISA which is supporting the digitization efforts in all sectors like health, education and agriculture. Therefore, GIZ supports RISA in setting up a 5-year strategic plan to define its responsibilities and principles going forward.
Innovate Rwanda 2.0 – A whole new level
Many companies and particularly startups face challenges due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is now even important for these organizations to collaborate and get access to funding. With its new rollout, Innovate Rwanda comes with new features and sections which boost support for companies on the platform.
How the DigiCenter fits into Rwanda’s Tech Hub/Incubator Ecosystem
A thriving ecosystem is a hallmark of a growing and vibrant ecosystem. Not only capacity-building but also incubator programs are important drivers for the growth of start-ups in Rwanda. This article explores the role being played by the DigiCenter to enhance Rwanda’s tech/incubator ecosystem.
Using Virtual Labs for hands-on science classes in Rwandan primary and secondary schools
Information and communication technologies are changing the teaching and learning process around the world. Virtual learning environments are one of the most common technologies that schools are adopting today. Also Rwanda has made continuous efforts to digitize study materials. One of the new advancements is the Virtual Labs in Education Software.
Solving Transport Challenges in Rwanda – #TechifyMobility2020
Intelligent city and mobility concepts are crucial to prepare Rwanda for growing cities. Read here how the #TechifyMobilityChallenge2020 contributes to the development of smart transport solutions in Rwanda.
Working together to create an inclusive Tech-Ecosystem with the Digital Ecosystem Mapping Tool
Startups in Rwanda often rely exclusively on personal networks to do business. Moreover, collaboration is limited and there is a risk of double efforts happening in the country. Raising funds is difficult, limiting startups in growing or surviving at the market. Read here how the Digital Ecosystem Mapping Tool can solve this issue serving as a directory and matchmaking platform for tech-companies and investors.
Digital products Made in Rwanda – Why scaling and tapping into new markets is so important
Scaling digital products and entering new markets is important for tech companies to succeed in the long run. However, scaling in Rwanda often proves difficult due to local conditions. Read here why opening new markets is essential for Rwandan tech start-ups.
The WeCode Programme: Why teaching women in Rwanda how to code is crucial for the tech sector
Women in ICT in Rwanda are still not as accepted and low in numbers compared to their male counterparts. In order to overcome the lack of access to quality training, gender bias from employers and the low representation of women in the tech sector, Moringa , GIZ and the Rwandan government have brought the initiative WeCode into life. In this blog article we want to tell the story of Delphine and Anna and many other women that received ICT trainings during the WeCode initiative giving them the chance to pursue their career in the tech sector.
Why telling failure stories as an entrepreneur is important
As an entrepreneur, people take on responsibility for their communities and become role models for future entrepreneurs. For that purpose, the DigiCenter hosted a virtual meeting for interested community members to talk about failures and role models because these topics do often not get the necessary attention. However, every entrepreneur faces them at some point. So let’s talk about them!
Innovate for Women – bridging the Gender Digital Divide through Digital Inclusion of Women
Women in Africa still belong to a vulnerable group, often, being victims of toxic relationships, abusive employers or traditional gender roles. Over the years, ICT solutions have helped women in understanding their rights and breaking out of old patterns. In the Innovate for Women design challenge, digital solutions were developed to empower women in overcoming daily challenges.
Transforming Rwanda into a living Laboratory of Emerging Technologies: MINICT and DigiCenter develop National Emerging Technology Strategy and Action Plan
The Emerging Technologies Strategy and Action Plan sets out essential fourth industrial revolution technologies that Rwanda will focus on over the next five years. Additionally, it includes steps that should be taken to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of falling behind. Rwanda will push the social and economic application of these emerging technologies forward. Hereby, Rwanda will focus on health, education, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and everyday government services to citizens.
Smart Farming in Rwanda – How farmers can increase crop yields through an IoT-based irrigation system
Climate change and dependency on rain-fed farming strongly affect yield production. Smart irrigation can help to overcome these dependencies and to ensure food security. In this article, we introduce an IoT-based smart irrigation system that will assist Rwandan farmers in using the right amount of water and fertilizers for the crops.
Empowering Digital Transformation Champions of Rwanda’s Public Sector
RISA is implementing complex and large-scale projects across different public sectors. That is why it’s crucial for RISA to have skilled employees who can champion the digital transformation nationwide. Therefore, the digital solutions for sustainable development project (DSSD) is supporting RISA with various coachings on different skills.
Training the next IoT-Innovators of Rwanda
Emerging technologies like IoT come with endless new opportunities for Africa. Consequently, there is a need for highly skilled IoT-innovaters all over the continent. That is why the DigiCenter is hosting workshops to train Rwanda’s IoT-professionals of tomorrow.
Voice is natural, voice is human – Building National Language Voice Data Sets
Many countries face the challenge of limited access to technology for the vast majority of people due to language barriers. One of those countries is Rwanda. The Digital Umuganda project proposes the first Kinyarwanda National Language Engine to provide access to technology for the Rwandan population.
Enabling Rwandan Communities to solve Real World Challenges through Machine Learning Trainings
Artificial Intelligence developers and innovators are in high demand on the job market. Therefore, our trainings support skilled newcomers to gain knowledge in machine learning and enable them to create new products and services.