PART 1: PREAMBLE
This section sets out the overview of the NICI process since its inception in 2000. It also provides
a background of Rwanda’s current ICT status in relation to the global context and national
development strategies. It also highlights Rwanda’s ICT vision, achievements, challenges and
opportunities.
1.1.
The Current Context
Global ICT policies have become more mainstream in the last decade underpinning growth, jobs,
increasing productivity, enhancing the delivery of public and private services, and achieving
broad socio-economic objectives in the areas of healthcare, education, climate change, energy,
employment and social development. As such, the global ICT industry is fast changing as a
result of emerging technologies, economic, social and business trends. As ICT applications and
services are becoming ubiquitous, they are increasingly essential for ensuring sustainable
economic development, and Rwanda is no exception.
Investing in ICT is a key driver of economic development for emerging and developed markets
alike. Figure 1 illustrates the correlation between ICT readiness – the availability of broadband,
computers, and software in a country – and competitiveness. Countries with the most advanced
ICT sectors present the highest levels of competitiveness, suggesting that having a country
enabled by ICT improves its overall economic performance in the long run.1
Figure 1: ICT Readiness vs Competitiveness2
1
The Global Information Technology Report 2009-2010 @ 2010 World Economic Forum
2
World Economic Forum, Competitiveness Index 2008–2009; McKinsey, Digital Opportunity Index 2008–2009.
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Select target paragraph3