Taking into Account Key Socio-Economic Indicators and Developmental Challenges
13. The GOR acknowledged that if Rwandan’s ICT Policy, Strategies and subsequent National and Information and Communications (NICI)
Plans are to make a desirable impact on the developmental process they must be related to the wider social and economic development agenda of
the government.
14. The GOR further recognizes that its ICT Policies, Strategies and Plans must form an integral part of the overall vision for social and
economic development of Rwanda and they must also take into account the developmental challenges facing Rwanda within the context of the
current status of its key socio-economic indicators; ---- with specific reference to the fact that:
• Rwanda has the highest population density in Africa;
•
The country is one of the least urbanized country in Africa with 94% of its population leaving in scattered settlements in the rural areas;
•
Rwanda has a relatively high population growth rate and crude birth rate;
•
Rwanda has a predominantly agricultural economy ---- most of which is based on subsistence farming with very little mechanization or the
application of modern agricultural production methods or practices;
•
The majority of the working population (91.1%) are actively involve in agriculture with only 1.7% working in the industrial sector and 7.2%
in the service sector of the economy;
•
Rwanda currently depend on coffee and tea for most of its export earnings;
•
Rwanda's industrial sector is small and under-developed, --- currently contributing about only 19% of GDP;
•
The service sector, the second largest contributor to GDP after the agriculture sector is under-developed;
•
Rwanda's public debt is a major impediment to economic development;
•
Poverty is widespread in Rwanda with about 64% of the population living below the poverty line;
•
Life expectancy estimated at 49 years in 1998 is low even by African standards;
•
•
Rwanda has a high illiteracy rate. High primary school drop-out rate and very low secondary school enrolment rate and that
Rwanda is currently facing a serious human resource problem in all skill areas and more so in the area of information technology.
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