During the visit, participants were briefed on how Irembo has made it easier for citizens to access public services while also helping the government deliver services more efficiently.
More than 300 participants from different countries attended the forum, which focused on ways to improve service delivery across Africa and ensure that citizens have a better experience when accessing public services.
The participants were shown some of the services available on Irembo, as well as the ‘Byikorere’ initiative, which allows Rwandans to apply for services directly through their mobile phones without having to visit Irembo agents.
They were also briefed on the role of Digital Ambassadors deployed across the country to help citizens understand how Irembo works and assist them in using technology to apply for and access public services.
Samuel Afotoye from Ghana, one of the forum participants, described Irembo as a good example of how technology can simplify access to public services.
He said Ghana also has digital platforms through which people can access services, but they are not consolidated in one place as they are on Irembo.
“We do not have services brought together in a one-stop centre like Irembo. Each service is usually handled by the institution responsible for it,” he said.
Afotoye said bringing services together on one platform makes it easier for people to access them without having to move from one institution to another.
Sibusiso Nyasulu from Malawi said platforms such as Irembo can also help reduce corruption in public service delivery.
“Standing in queues to get a stamp slows down the quality of service. Because the world we live in is moving very fast, it is important for countries to consider putting in place digital infrastructure that can speed up service delivery,” he said.
Nyasulu, however, noted that limited access to digital devices such as mobile phones and internet connectivity in many African countries remains one of the challenges to expanding digital public services.
As part of their programme in Rwanda, the forum participants also visited Rwanda Mountain Tea factory in the Masoro Industrial Zone, where they observed its operations and measures put in place to improve service delivery and the quality of its products.
They also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, where they paid tribute and laid flowers at the graves of victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
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