Rwanda Builds Drying Facilities to Cut Post-Harvest Losses of Onions and Chili Peppers
Rwanda’s National Agricultural Export Development Board said it is constructing five drying facilities to reduce (…)
President Paul Kagame has said that mobile technology offers Africa one of its strongest pathways to inclusive economic growth, but warned that gaps in connectivity could widen the continent’s development divide if not urgently addressed.
Kagame made the remarks Tuesday while opening the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Kigali, a three-day international conference organized by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA). The event brings together global technology companies, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the future of digital transformation in Africa.
The president said Rwanda has embraced technology as a driver of development, citing how mobile phones and networks have transformed how Africans communicate, trade, and access financial services.
“Broad networks and advanced mobile phones have become fundamental to everyday life, supporting business, education, and financial services across sectors. Mobile Money is a prime example,” Kagame said.
Over the past decade, Mobile Money has built a $1 trillion economy across Africa, extending financial services to more than 700 million users. Kagame said such innovations empower small businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly women, while linking rural communities to the wider economy.
“These initiatives show that innovation is not confined to one sector or location; it can spread widely, giving everyone an opportunity,” he added.
Kagame also pointed to the growing role of artificial intelligence and smart connectivity tools in shaping future economies, but cautioned that Africa’s relatively low internet access could deepen inequality if left unaddressed.
“Despite our progress, only a small portion of Africans have fully benefited from connectivity compared to other regions,” he said. “If this gap persists, technology could deepen inequalities.”
He urged governments, the private sector, and development partners to work together to expand access, enhance digital literacy, and create a regulatory environment that fosters innovation.
Kagame said Rwanda is investing in research, AI integration, and citizen capacity building as part of its transition toward a knowledge-based economy, adding that greater continental cooperation could help secure Africa’s digital future.
Rwanda’s National Agricultural Export Development Board said it is constructing five drying facilities to reduce (…)
President Paul Kagame on Thursday received European Union Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis (…)
Rwanda’s central bank has raised its key policy rate to 7.25% from 6.75% in a bid to curb rising inflation and bring (…)
While Rwanda’s economy continues to grow, rural residents are being left out of its benefits, consumer rights (…)
