Minister Ingabire highlighted that expanding coverage alone is not enough. While many areas now have signal access, millions of Africans remain offline due to affordability, digital literacy, and relevant content. "The bigger challenge is usage. Many Africans live in areas with coverage but are not accessing the internet," she explained. Closing this gap requires affordable devices, digital skills training, and content in local languages to ensure meaningful engagement with technology.
Rwanda as a Proof-of-Concept HubRwanda's approach to digital innovation serves as a model for Africa. Ingabire described the country as a proof-of-concept hub, emphasizing action over waiting for perfect conditions. Rwanda's success demonstrates that deliberate, small-scale experimentation, supported by partnerships, can deliver impactful digital solutions.
To start, for Rwanda, we are a proof-of-concept hub. So when you think about the approach that weve taken for technology, it is really simple. Do we see an opportunity for technology to respond to our needs? And the answer is always yes. How do we use that technology? Now, we do not necessarily wait for a perfect environment where you have the right regulations or the funding required to get things done. Even with the constraints that we may have, we still are able to find ways where technology is able to support us.
