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Rwanda Moves Toward Nationwide Drone Logistics with Zipline

Mugisha R. John — 2026-02-04T21:47:41Z

Rwanda is expanding its drone delivery network with Zipline Rwanda, signing a new agreement on Feb. 4 that will extend the service into Kigali and the Western Province, officials said. The deal moves the country closer to a nationwide autonomous delivery system and introduces Africa's first urban drone delivery service.

Zipline currently operates fixed-wing drones from hubs in Muhanga and Kayonza, delivering medical supplies to rural health facilities. Under the new agreement, Zipline will deploy vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones in Kigali, which do not require runways. The company said operations in the capital are planned for 2027.

Zipline Rwanda Country Director Pierre Kayitana

“We will use special drones that are very different from the ones we currently have because those do not need runways to take off,” Zipline Rwanda country director Pierre Kayitana said. “It will hover low while it is placed inside, then take off and immediately deliver it to the person who ordered.”

The expansion includes a third distribution hub in Karongi District, joining existing facilities in Muhanga and Kayonza. Zipline said the Karongi hub will start operating in June 2026, improving delivery times to the Western region, including Rusizi, Nyamasheke and Nkombo.

The rollout is supported by $150 million in funding from the U.S. government, provided under a pay-for-performance award from the U.S. Department of State, Zipline said. Most of the funding will be spent in Rwanda.

Zipline said the Karongi hub will serve roughly 200 health posts and 60 major facilities, covering around 2.9 million people, while the nationwide network will reach over 11 million residents and support about 350 local jobs.

Jeanne Umuhire, Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre.

“Opening a site in Karongi is something we highly value because the Western region had challenges with quick access,” said Jeanne Umuhire, deputy director general of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre. “Blood and other medical supplies will arrive on time.”

Zipline Africa director Caitlin Bulton said Rwanda was selected because of its strong technology environment and familiarity with drone systems. “Rwanda is unique in how it accelerates technology and also supports the development of the health sector,” she said. “There is no doubt these innovations aim to protect lives.”

Zipline Africa director Caitlin Bulton

Bulton also said the Kigali network will use Platform 2 (P2) drones, capable of carrying 4–5kg, flying up to 25km, and reaching 100km/h.

Zipline also plans to establish an AI and robotics testing facility in Rwanda, its first overseas research and development hub, to test aircraft performance, safety systems and logistics software.

Zipline launched its first autonomous delivery service in Rwanda in 2016. The company said the system has improved access to blood, vaccines and medicines, and has been linked to reduced maternal mortality in health reports.

DR Congo to Launch Digital Government Platform in First Quarter

Mugisha R. John — 2026-02-02T15:52:26Z

The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to launch a long-anticipated digital government platform in the first quarter of this year, a major step toward modernizing public services and expanding economic opportunities in Africa's most populous Francophone nation.

The platform will be a central component of a wider digital transformation strategy that includes a nationwide digital identity system known as DRCPass, efforts to strengthen digital payments, and broader reforms to expand internet access and financial inclusion.

Officials say the platform will streamline how citizens access government services and interact with state agencies online, reducing paperwork and delays that have historically hampered business and daily life in the country.

“This digital government platform will enhance financial inclusion and improve public service delivery for over 110 million DRC citizens,” said Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, highlighting the partnership between the government and Singapore-based tech firm Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd. on the DRCPass system. “It is a good example of how Singapore companies work with African partners to bridge the digital divide.”

In June 2025, the Congolese government and Trident signed a definitive public-private partnership to deploy the Web 3.0-enabled DRCPass system nationwide. Trident was named the exclusive provider of electronic Know Your Customer services, which are expected to reduce identity fraud, simplify access to e-government and business portals, and enable digital payments.

“By launching the national digital identification system, we lay a cornerstone for a Democratic Republic of Congo that is digitally sovereign, financially inclusive, and resilient to tomorrow's challenges,” said Augustin Kibassa Maliba, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs.

The digital identity rollout will be implemented in phases, accompanied by public education and outreach efforts. Citizens who register will be able to access services through a mobile application using a secure single-sign-on system.

The government's strategy aligns with broader regional initiatives backed by international development partners. The World Bank's Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) program includes the DRC in its first phase, with financing designed to boost internet access and digital adoption across the region.

Analysts say expanding digital services and identification infrastructure could help attract foreign investment, improve transparency in tax and customs systems, and support growth of Congo's banking and technology sectors.

Still, challenges remain. Internet penetration in the country is below the Sub-Saharan average, and officials acknowledge that infrastructure upgrades and digital literacy programs are needed to ensure broad inclusion.

ACES in Kigali Gains UK F-Gas Certification to Boost Sustainable Cooling

Mugisha R. John — 2026-01-20T12:58:10Z

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain Systems (ACES) in Kigali has received UK-recognised F-gas certification, a key milestone in the centre's work to develop climate-friendly refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

The certification, announced by the F-Gas Register, confirms that ACES engineers meet UK-approved F-gas qualifications in line with DEFRA requirements. The centre is now subject to the same standards as other UK-recognised entities operating in stationary refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump sectors.

Dr. Leyla Sayin, ACES Executive Officer, met with ACES Technical Director Basile Seburikoko to present the certification, marking a major step forward for the Kigali-based centre.

“Receiving the Company F-Gas Certificate confirms that our systems, equipment, and technical practices meet internationally recognised standards,” Seburikoko said. “This certification enables ACES to provide services to companies and institutions in Rwanda at an international level, while supporting the country's transition to climate-friendly cooling technologies.”

Graeme Fox, Director of Schemes at The F-Gas Register, praised the centre's development. “We appreciate the huge effort that has gone into establishing this training centre in Rwanda. We wish the centre the very best for their future delivering up-skilling and certification for technicians and engineers in Kigali and other centres across the developing world,” he said.

ACES combines certified services with hands-on equipment demonstrations to build skills, ensure compliance, and raise standards in Rwanda's refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.

The centre is supported by DEFRA, the Rwandan government, UNEP, and UK academics led by the University of Birmingham. It is the first of its kind in Africa, focused on creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable cooling and cold-chain systems while promoting local talent, expertise, and innovation.

“With this certification, ACES strengthens its ability to work closely with industry, training institutions, and government stakeholders to advance sustainable cooling in Rwanda,” Seburikoko added.

Rwanda Launches Digital FDI Report to Boost Investment and Tech Growth

Mugisha John — 2025-10-30T17:24:14Z

Ministry of ICT and Innovation, in partnership with the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), has launched the Digital FDI Rwanda Report, outlining a roadmap to attract more digital investment and accelerate technology-driven job creation.

The report, unveiled at the 9th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, highlights Rwanda's rapid digital transformation and presents policy and regulatory reforms to position the country as a competitive hub for digital-economy investment.

“Rwanda's vision is anchored in digital transformation to accelerate economic growth, create jobs, expand exports, and build an inclusive, knowledge-based economy,” said Paula Ingabire, Rwanda's Minister of ICT and Innovation. “This report provides a roadmap to continue building a global business environment for technology companies by strengthening trust in our data ecosystem, improving investor facilitation, and expanding digital skills.”

Deemah AlYahya, DCO Secretary-General, praised Rwanda's approach, saying the country “turned connectivity into opportunity and policy into empowerment.” She said digital investment is about “courage, collaboration, and conviction,” and highlighted Rwanda as a model for transforming innovation into inclusive progress.

The report identifies sectors driving Rwanda's digital economy, including cloud services, fintech, business process outsourcing, data centers, and government technology. It also recommends measures to enable cross-border data flows, establish transparent cybersecurity rules, create efficient investor facilitation systems, and develop future-ready talent pipelines.

Rwanda's clear governance structures, pro-innovation policies, and investment-friendly reforms are already generating momentum, according to the report. It also provides guidance for reducing compliance costs, harmonizing digital regulations, and supporting technology firms to expand domestically and internationally.

Serving as a model for African and DCO member states, the report demonstrates how nations can create an enabling environment for digital investment while promoting inclusion and sustainable growth.

Rwanda is one of 16 DCO member states, an intergovernmental organization founded in 2020 to accelerate the growth of an inclusive and sustainable digital economy. Together, the member states represent nearly $3.5 trillion in GDP and a population of over 800 million, more than 70% under the age of 35.

The DCO platform will continue to support Rwanda in expanding cooperation, unlocking cross-border opportunities, and positioning the country as a leading hub in the global digital economy.

Experts Say Africa Emerging as Global Content Powerhouse

Mugisha John — 2025-10-23T15:32:41Z

Africa is moving beyond being just a consumer of global media content, with industry leaders saying the continent is now focused on creating, monetizing, and distributing its own stories at home and abroad.

A panel of experts including MTN Group General Manager for Digital Services, Marketing and Strategy Rolivhuwa Maluma, Canal+ Rwanda CEO Sophie Sandra Tchatchoua, and Wi-flix co-founder and CEO Louis Manu said Africa is increasingly asserting itself as a content creator in its own right.

Maluma said MTN aims to leverage its regional network infrastructure to empower local creators and platform providers. “We believe there is a big opportunity that we can unlock as Africans for Africans,” he said, noting the company's plans to collaborate with investors and creative professionals to boost digital entertainment, gaming, and music “the soul of the continent.”

Tchatchoua said Canal+ is equally focused on helping Africans tell their own stories on both domestic and global stages. “We are investing in local production and building skills,” she said, adding that Canal+ operates about 70 channels that serve as platforms for African talent. The broadcaster is also developing a media and entertainment hub to strengthen Africa's global voice.

For Manu, Africa's creative industry has already made remarkable progress. “Africa has turned into a global content powerhouse,” he said. However, he cautioned that challenges persist in monetization, infrastructure, intellectual property protection, and global distribution.
Manu noted that mobile technology continues to play a critical role in content consumption.

“Phones are Africans' cinemas and TVs,” he said, explaining that Wi-flix is partnering with major operators to distribute African films and series across multiple countries.

Despite the progress, Manu said African content is still often viewed as niche. “We need to stop seeing African content as niche and start positioning our content as massively universal,” he said.

All three leaders agreed collaboration is key. By building networks among creators, operators, and investors, they believe Africa can expand its cultural influence and ensure its stories reach audiences worldwide.

Mobile Technology Seen as Africa's Path to Inclusive Growth, Kagame Says

Mugisha John — 2025-10-21T12:34:08Z

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.

Ericsson to showcase technological innovations at MWC Kigali 2025

Mugisha John — 2025-10-13T10:57:15Z

Ericsson is participating at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Kigali 2025, scheduled to take place from October 21-23, 2025, in Rwanda, under the theme “What's next for Africa” at its partner's booth.

Reaffirming its long-term commitment to Africa's digital transformation, Ericsson will showcase how advanced connectivity, energy-efficient solutions, and financial inclusion technologies are driving growth, innovation, and inclusivity across the continent. Experts from Ericsson will participate in the event to engage and discuss with industry partners and customers to drive innovation across Africa's evolving technology ecosystem.

Visitors will experience live and immersive demonstrations and will witness cutting-edge technologies and network solutions like Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), 5G Standalone, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered network automation.

As part of Ericsson's participation, Patrick Johannson, President of Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa, will deliver a keynote titled “Transforming the Telco: 5G & Beyond ‘The Next Phase of Inclusive, Sustainable Connectivity'” and Alain Maupin, Head of Ericsson East and North Africa, will be part of the panel discussion “Eliminating Bias: AI for Africa, by Africa”.

By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, Ericsson is enabling sustainable growth, financial empowerment, and transformative social impact through expanded 5G connectivity and fintech advancements that will accelerate Africa's digitalisation journey.

MWC Kigali brings together innovators and industry leaders to advance the digital economy through next-generation technologies, AI, FinTech, and regional partnerships.