Category: Science &Technology

This achievement was highlighted in this year’s Global Cybersecurity Index report by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which ranked Rwanda among the top countries worldwide, placing it in the first tier with a score exceeding 95%.

Rwanda was grouped with 46 other nations that have been designated as “Role Model” countries, demonstrating exemplary commitment to all five pillars of cybersecurity.

Among these were five African nations—Rwanda, Mauritius, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania—standing alongside global powers such as Japan, the United States, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea.

The report noted Rwanda’s remarkable achievements across several key areas, starting with its legal framework.

Rwanda has enacted comprehensive laws governing cybercrimes and data protection, which ensure the security of personal data and mitigate the risks of cyberattacks on sensitive information.

This legal foundation fosters trust among both citizens and businesses engaging with digital technologies, positioning the country as a leader in safeguarding its cyberspace.

Another area of distinction is Rwanda’s technical approach to cybersecurity. The country has established the Rwanda Computer Security Incident Response Team (Rw-CSIRT), which plays a critical role in monitoring and addressing potential cybersecurity threats.

This proactive system enables Rwanda to mitigate risks and swiftly respond to any cyber-related incidents, reinforcing its reputation as a secure digital environment.

Organizationally, Rwanda’s National Cybersecurity Strategy was also highlighted in the report as a model framework for national protection.

The strategy outlines a comprehensive plan for defending the country’s cyberspace, with specialized agencies overseeing the implementation of policies and ensuring the nation is well-prepared to face potential technology-related risks.

Rwanda’s commitment to developing skills in cybersecurity was another key factor in its high ranking. The country has made significant investments in educating professionals and students in the field, notably through initiatives like the Rwanda Coding Academy.

This program equips young people with the technical knowledge necessary for success in the growing tech industry, while partnerships with international universities offer Rwandans the opportunity to gain global expertise in cybersecurity.

Moreover, Rwanda’s emphasis on international cooperation further bolsters its cybersecurity landscape. By fostering partnerships with other nations and private entities, Rwanda has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing global cybersecurity challenges.

These collaborative efforts allow the country to stay at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation, continuously strengthening its defenses.

The Global Cybersecurity Index report praised Rwanda’s proactive stance in preventing and addressing cybersecurity threats, particularly highlighting its advancements in legal frameworks, technical infrastructure, and capacity-building initiatives.

Rwanda’s top-tier ranking underscores the country’s forward-thinking approach to digital security and its ongoing commitment to creating a safe, secure environment for its citizens and businesses alike.

To maintain its dominance in the high-end smartphone market, Apple said the company’s AI software will be used to improve Siri, as well as enhance features such as recognizing and identifying objects captured by the phone’s camera.

Apple Intelligence will be available as a free software update. The first set of Apple Intelligence features will be available in a test version from October as part of iOS 18.1.

The iPhone 16 lineup’s camera system includes a 48MP Fusion camera with a 2x Telephoto option, while a new Ultra Wide camera enables macro photography.

Company executives noted that the phone’s new A18 chip delivers a significant leap in performance and efficiency, allowing for demanding AAA games and providing a major boost in battery life.

A notable feature of the iPhone 16 is a customizable button that can control the camera, in a design similar to previous models.

Available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus come in five colours: black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine.

The higher-end iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are made from titanium and feature additional AI capabilities, such as offering suggestions on how to set up photo shoots more effectively and providing audio-editing features aimed at professional-level video production.

Prices for the iPhone 16 start at $799 (about RWF 1.06 million), while the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 (about RWF 1.19 million). The devices are available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options.

Apple will start accepting pre-orders for the new iPhones on Friday, September 13, and the devices will be available for purchase on September 20, 2024.

The unveiling of the new phones is expected to further intensify competition in the market, as rivals like South Korea’s Samsung and China’s Huawei continue to release products aimed at delivering powerful, personalized experiences to their users.

Huawei is expected to release its trifold phones in the coming days, with prices starting at more than $2,800. These devices will also come equipped with artificial intelligence features such as text translation and cloud-based content generation.

Apple Watch and AirPods

In addition to the iPhone 16, Apple also unveiled new Apple Watches and AirPods with health-focused capabilities and hardware-design improvements.

Apple executives explained that the new watch can detect longer-term health conditions, such as sleep apnea, and can respond to emergencies, like a fall.

China Daily, a Chinese state-run publication, is at the forefront of media innovation, utilizing AI to streamline newsroom operations and enhance content generation.

During a recent visit to the China Daily offices in Beijing, IGIHE learned that the company has integrated AI into its digital news app, responding to the rising global consumption of digital news compared to traditional newspaper reading.

The mobile application allows readers to access daily stories on the go. AI algorithms in the app help tailor news recommendations to individual readers’ interests. An AI-powered translation tool also facilitates the dissemination of news to a global audience.

Additionally, China Daily has a virtual journalist powered by cutting-edge AI technology. Dubbed Yuanxi, she can perform a wide range of tasks, including scanning and analyzing various news sources in real-time, providing the company with up-to-date news trends and information.

Yuanxi has the ability to process vast amounts of information in real-time, scanning multiple sources, analyzing trends, and generating reports far faster than a human could. This accelerates the news-gathering and reporting process, allowing China Daily to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving news landscape.

Ji Tao, a member of the editorial board at China Daily, describes the innovations and use of new technology at the Chinese media house as a unique selling point.

“Don’t leave the paper, just innovate,” he advises, adding, “Maintaining a neutral stance in reporting is also crucial, ensuring unbiased coverage without taking sides.”

Shao Xinying, journalist and editor at the international news desk, highlights the importance of fact-checking and ensuring authenticity and accurate reporting. “We try our best to fact-check each story, for the sake of accuracy and authenticity,” she adds.

Since its launch in 1981, China Daily has established itself as one of the leading print press companies in China. With a flagship newspaper that covers a wide range of topics, including business, sports, world pop news, and more, China Daily has become a household name.

Besides the technology, the management reiterates that commitment to inclusivity and diversity sets the paper apart. The newspaper invites expats to contribute their opinions, providing a unique perspective on global issues.

In a landmark ruling delivered on Monday, August 5, 2024, Federal Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google violated antitrust law in the US by illegally suppressing competition and stifling innovation.

The judge concurred with the Justice Department’s argument that Google relied on anticompetitive payments to companies such as Apple, Samsung and AT&T to ensure its search engine is enabled by default on most smartphones. The company was reported to have spent $26.3 billion on this campaign in 2021 alone.

Google’s practices were found to have violated Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act in the markets for general search services and general text advertising. The judge noted that the default search engine deals ‘are exclusive and have anticompetitive effects.

Following the recent judgement, Bloomberg reports that the Department of Justice attorneys could ask the presiding judge to order Google to sell portions of its business. This could lead to Google selling off parts of its business, including its Android operating system, Chrome web browser, and advertising platform AdWords, to restore competitive balance in the market.

Citing sources within the DOJ, Bloomberg reports that U.S. authorities are also considering ‘less severe’ options that would require the company to share data with rival search engines like Microsoft’s Bing and DuckDuckGo.

Other options on the table include pushing for restrictions on Google’s artificial intelligence products to prevent the company from gaining an unfair advantage over its rivals.

Meanwhile, as the feds ponder on the next move Googe has already announced plans to appeal the recent judgment.

Google, owned by Alphabet Inc, enjoys a massive user base worldwide, with billions of daily active users across its platforms, including the Google Search Engine, Gmail, Android OS, and YouTube.

The company has in the past defended itself against the accusations, stating that its market dominance is primarily due to its superior products.

“People don’t use Google because they have to — they use it because they want to,” Kent Walker, one of Google’s top lawyers and its president of global affairs, said last year.

He added, “It’s easy to switch your default search engine — we’re long past the era of dial-up internet and CD-ROMs.”

If the DOJ moves forward with the proposal to break up Google, it would be the first time in over two decades that federal authorities have pursued such an action. The last major instance occurred when the DOJ secured a victory in an antitrust case against Microsoft, though the bid to split the company was abandoned in 2001.

Paul Intwari, an engineer working with ETS Construction Company in Kigali, told IGIHE during a recent interview that farmers in various parts of the country are increasingly adopting solar-powered pumps.

Intwari is one of the experts helping farmers adopt new farming techniques by designing and installing solar-powered pump systems. He primarily works with farmers engaged in irrigation farming.

“We start by designing the system and support the farmers through installation and training on how to use it,” Intwari said.

IGIHE caught up with Intwari at the 17th Rwanda Agriculture Show, where ETS Company is showcasing various tools and machines that farmers can use to take their farming to a new level.

A civil engineer by training, the 31-year-old revealed that most of the farmers buying their equipment are engaged in fruit, vegetable, and bean farming.

According to him, most of the farmers embracing solar-powered pumps have done so due to the low maintenance costs. While the initial cost of purchasing a solar system is high, it is relatively inexpensive to maintain in the long run compared to fuel-powered pumps.

“We recommend that clients use solar because it has minimal maintenance costs. Additionally, the pumps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions,” he said.

To meet the growing demand for solar-powered pumps, ETS Construction Company has partnered with Lorentz, a Germany-based company renowned for manufacturing a wide range of solar pumps.

“We offer various types of pumps. We have small pumps suited for small-scale farmers involved in livestock and irrigation, as well as larger pumps that can serve over 10 hectares, including submersible pumps,” the engineer explained.

The prices for a complete kit comprising a solar panel, pump, and its accessories, including pipes, start from Rwf2 million. Advanced pump systems suitable for large-scale commercial farming range between Rwf100 million and Rwf120 million.

Government Subsidies

Claude Rugirangoga, an irrigation engineer with Open Construction and Related Services Ltd, said that subsidies offered by the government have significantly contributed to the uptake of solar-powered pumps.

The government has been actively promoting solar energy and sustainable agricultural practices, including providing subsidies and financial support for solar-powered technologies.

Rugirangoga noted that the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), in collaboration with development partners, supports farmers with up to 75% financing to purchase solar kits.

“Farmers interested in the subsidy are required to visit their sector offices and fill out forms to apply for it. If approved, they pay only 25% of the cost for the kits, while the government covers the remaining amount,” Rugirangoga explained.

The grants are also available to farmers seeking to buy tractors to improve their farming. Farmers can access up to 70% financing, according to Didier Nahayo, the Commercial Director at Rwanda Motor.

Rugirangoga, like Intwari, agrees that farming with solar-powered pumps is more profitable compared to petrol or diesel-powered pumps.

“Solar pumps are cost-effective as you make a one-time payment when buying,” he said.

However, he observed that the main disadvantage of the pumps is the limited number of technicians available.

The 17th Rwanda Agriculture Show kicked off at Mulindi/Gasabo Showground on July 31, 2024. The exhibition will close on August 9, 2024.

The show provides farmers and companies with an opportunity to showcase their products and services, while also facilitating extensive networking opportunities.

Many people attend the expos to connect with industry experts, explore the latest technologies and innovations, and engage in meaningful discussions that could lead to new collaborations and business ventures.

“I am here to learn the best farming practices from big farmers,” Francois Bizimana, a pig farmer from Musanze, revealed.

Unique to the Rwandan audience, a group of Mount Kigali University (MKU) students has taken innovation to a whole new level. They have developed a system to automate key features and appliances in modern houses, aiming to add their mark to the history books of technology.

The idea to build the system, dubbed ‘Smart Homes,’ was conceptualised in December 2023, by six students who are pursuing a degree program in Business and Communication Technology.

They are Mugisha Emmanuel Junior and Eric Ruzima Nzigiye (civil and electronics engineers, respectively); Felix Prince Mubera and Jessica Kavira (back-end developers); and Urbain Ukwishaka and Pascal Herve Gumiriza (both front-end developers responsible for designing the user interface of the mobile application).

All the students are in their final year, except for Mugisha, who is in his third year.

This technology involves the use of a specially designed mobile application that interprets voice commands to open or close windows and doors, turn lights on or off, control the Air conditioners and many other home appliances.

Since the system heavily relies on Internet of Things (IoT) technology, the students decided to merge knowledge in electrical, civil and software engineering. Mugisha says that after completing his first bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, he enrolled in an IT program at MKU, where he later teamed up with his colleagues.

Once the full team was established, the actual development of the project began in January 2024.

During a recent visit to MKU Main Campus in Kicukiro district, Mugisha revealed that the plan is to extend the project further to include control of all possible home appliances, such as fridges and other electronics.

This, Mugisha said, helps to conserve energy when the items are not in use and this is unique compared to similar systems developed in other parts of the world.

“We had seen many developed countries living in a world where houses can be controlled from anywhere. We thought, why don’t we do this for our country, Rwanda,” he said.

Rwanda is a rapidly developing country and having automated houses is a good step in the right direction of contributing to an even smarter Rwanda.

“Our goal is conserving energy. You will be using only the appliances that are needed, and when they are not in use, they will be turned off to save energy,” Mugisha explained.

Since security is key in any technology development today, the system has been designed to uniquely identify voice commands and prevent unauthorized access to homes by intruders.

The students are open to partnering with other like-minded innovators and investors to incorporate more features and take the project to a whole new level.

“This is a big project, and we really need funds from anyone who would want to partner with us. We would be pleased and happy to have them on our team and be part of our initiative to make Rwanda smart,” Mugisha concluded.

Eric Nyasani, an IoT and Electronics lecturer at MKU, said he is very proud of the students and encouraged them to incorporate more features.

The lecturer emphasized the need to support such brilliant students in bringing their ideas to life.

“Our learners have brilliant ideas, but partly because they lack funding and some of these things require a lot of resources, they strain a lot to source for funds to make these things work. Therefore, if we can have some element of funding to support such innovative ideas, we can push the country to the next level,” Nyasani stated.

Liquid Home has been at the forefront of connecting homes to fibre and providing high-speed internet connectivity across Africa since 2017. The expansion of the Liquid network in Rwanda is a significant step in achieving the vision of a digitally connected Rwanda. With Nyamata, Huye, Muhanga, and Rusizi joining several connected cities and estates in Kigali and upcountry, including the districts of Rubavu and Musanze, we are bringing the benefits of the digital age to more people. The fibre network deployment for other districts is also ongoing to increase fixed broadband penetration across the country.

“Fixed broadband internet penetration is relatively low, and expanding our network to these previously unconnected districts provides more households and businesses with affordable, reliable internet, reaffirming our commitment to bridging the country’s digital divide. Our tailored package for users in these four regions makes the internet connectivity even more affordable and accessible” said Alexis Kabeja, Chief Executive Officer of Liquid Intelligent Technologies Rwanda.

Users have access to an affordable package with 50Mbps internet speeds for only Rwf 20,000 per month, which provides them with the broadband connectivity they need to succeed in their daily busines. By extending further outside of the City of Kigali, Liquid Rwanda is empowering more citizens with the digital infrastructure they need to contribute to the country’s economic growth. As part of this initiative, we have made an exclusive package available to new subscribers in these upcountry regions. This package is designed to make high-speed, 24/7 internet access more affordable, with features such as unlimited data, free installation, and a dedicated customer support line.

Driving internet penetration and bridging Rwanda’s digital divide is one of Liquid Rwanda’s key objectives and aligns with the company’s aim of a digitally enabled Africa in which no one is left behind.

Liquid Intelligent Technologies, part of Cassava Technologies, operates in over 25 African countries. It offers a 110,000 km fibre network and satellite connectivity, providing high-speed internet, cloud, and cybersecurity solutions. Liquid serves public, private, and SME sectors with tailored digital solutions.