Tigo Rwanda has today unveiled the very first SMART Village project in Tumba Sector, Rulindo District, Northern Province in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and ICT as well as RwandaOnline, Mobisol, Sheecom and the local area Umurenge Sacco.
The key components of the SMART Village project, as described by the SMART Rwanda Master Plan (2015- 2020) are Internet access for all, digital literacy, financial inclusion and job creation related to ICT.
Commenting on the project, CEO of Tigo Rwanda Tongai Maramba said: As leaders in technology, we are called to promote and facilitate access to the Internet and recognize the global and open nature of the Internet as a driving force in accelerating progress towards development in its various forms.”
In the Phase One of the project, Tigo has provided 3G Internet geographical coverage of the Tumba Sector that will benefit the three 12-years Basic Education institutions, a local technical college, several small area trading centers, Sector offices, health centers and security offices.
In addition to providing access to 3G internet, Tigo has entered into a partnership with Urwego Opportunity Bank and the local Umurenge SACCO to provide subsidized smartphones and ensure the integration of mobile financial services in the community.
Alongside RwandaOnline, Tigo will deliver ICT skills through a local ICT training Centre as well as support Code Clubs in schools.
Phase Two of the project will see a dedicated Internet link for Government Offices, Schools and Public Wi-Fi access in Schools and solar powered phone charging stations established as well as shops where smartphones can be purchased.
The SMART Rwanda initative is about powering Rwanda’s socio economic transformation towards a knowledge based economy. The first principle within the master plan is establishing a (SMART) Service-oriented Modern, Accountable and Real-Time (SMART) Government that drives Rwanda’s global competitiveness and job creation.
According to the Ministry of Youth and ICT, SMART Rwanda aims to help Rwanda achieve its ICT for Development Vision, one village at a time. Rwanda has defined ten sectors where it believes structured deployment of ICTs can have maximum impact. These are SMART Education, SMART Healthcare, SMART Governance, SMART Business, SMART Agriculture, SMART Environment, SMART Job Creation, SMART Infrastructure, SMART Girls and SMART Cities.
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