Rwanda continues to make bold moves to become Africa’s leading technology and innovation hub through steady investments in digital infrastructure, education, and new technologies.
This year, Kigali played host to the prestigious Mobile World Congress (MWC), Africa’s biggest event on mobile technology, which brought together key leaders from across the continent’s digital and telecom sectors to discuss the future of connectivity and digital transformation.
Speaking to The New Times, James Zhang, Vice President of Carrier Sales at Huawei Technologies, commended Rwanda’s commitment to digital progress, describing it as a model for other African nations.
At the MWC event in Kigali on Thursday, October 23, Huawei showcased its latest technology solutions, reflecting the company’s long-term partnership with Rwanda in promoting ICT growth.
Zhang noted that Rwanda has all the right ingredients to become the continent’s central hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and information and communications technology (ICT).
He compared Rwanda’s digital journey to that of Singapore, Dubai, and Ireland, noting that while these countries are small in size, they have become global ICT leaders because of their clear focus on infrastructure and education.
“Rwanda has both a strong vision and the determination to achieve it,” Zhang added. “Through initiatives like the Smart Education Project in over 1,500 schools, the country is developing a new generation of tech-savvy talents.”
He emphasized that Rwanda’s consistent commitment to this strategy will solidify its position as Africa’s ICT hub in the near future.
According to Zhang, the success stories of Singapore, Dubai, and Ireland show that world-class internet connectivity is a key factor in attracting investors and tech companies.
“If you want to set up an AI company but it takes months to download data, that simply won’t work,” he explained. “Strong infrastructure for universities and startups is essential, and Rwanda already has one of the most advanced systems in Africa.”
He concluded by saying that if Rwanda continues to strengthen its ICT infrastructure and nurture its digital talent, it will soon stand out as a leading technology hub on the continent.
