ICT Policy in Rwanda

Rwanda aims towards a knowledge based society and ICT stands as a key pillar, the 21^st century needs people who can solve problems, make decisions, think critically, communicate ideas effectively and work efficiently within teams and groups. The Government of Rwanda aims to transform Rwanda into a middle income country by 2020, In Rwanda the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector is singled out as a priority that can change dramatically society. ICT can contribute towards creating employment and generating incomes, including disadvantaged communities, notably among women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Since 1998, the Government of Rwanda has initiated an ICT development programme, An ICT-related policy was launched in 2000 in Rwanda, ICT as a development policy is expected to be realised through the implementation of four 5-year rolling National Information and Communication Infrastructure (NICI) Plans

NICI PLAN

•      In 2000 GoR begun implementing the ICT4D policy, commonly known as NICI, and subsequently developed and implemented NICI I

•      (NICI-2005 Plan), the first of the four five-year rolling plans.

•     NICI I: Goal: To build the foundation and create an enabling environment for ICT development by putting in place the required institutional framework and policies in order to transform Rwanda into a knowledge-based society.

•      NICI II: Goal: To develop and deploy world class ICT infrastructure that will support and accelerate ICT development and growth.

•      NICI III: more flexible than previous ones in that it allows for easy adaptation to emerging technologies and sectoral changes. This approach ensures coherence and continuity throughout implementation of NICI III. Goal: To accelerate service development through ICT thereby facilitating sustainable economic

•      NICI IV: Goal: To consolidate the NICI process towards achieving a middle-income country status and an information-rich knowledge-based society and economy. The fourth plan will complete the NICI process by consolidating the country’s ICT transformation.