From 2-3 October, Kigali city hosted hundreds of business executives from around the world to attend a high–end conference on Information Communications Technology, dubbed SMART Rwanda days. The keynote speakers were His Excellency Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda and co-chair of the ITU-UNESCO Broadband Commission for Digital Development and Dr. Hamadoun Toure, the Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

Under the theme “Digitizing Rwanda”, the conference aimed to discuss ways in which ICT can significantly contribute to Rwanda as well as Africa social and economic transformation. For three days delegates debated topics ranging from digital economy, cashless payment, internet governance to open data and smart cities and communities. The conference saw a participation of international organizations such as VISA, World Bank Internet Society, ICAAN, Boston Consulting Group among others. In Rwandan history, it has never been exciting to be a young person than in today's digital era. This is an era where everyone with a computer and an internet connection can compete for jobs with the rest of the world. A young person with ICT skills can actually become his own boss. This would have been a dream a few decades back. Rwandan young developers are in fortunate situation that they have a government has understood the power of ICT in economic transformation. The government has a clear vision, policy and strategies when it comes to ICT. It is also building their capacity by investing in schools that offer ICT skills that are required to compete in digital age.

Speaking at the conference, President Paul Kagame said that digital innovation is one of the things that can significantly transform the livelihoods of Rwandans as well as Africans. He noted that it does that by being applicable to any and every sector of economic growth. However the head of state pointed out that Rwandans as well as Africans have to deal with the problem of mindset and believe in themselves. kLab along with a number of other tech incubators and hubs have also been created and they provide unprecedented opportunities for young innovators to transform their dreams into reality.

Now that Rwanda plans to become an information-rich and knowledge based economy, young developers have opportunities to create applications that are needed in the marketplace. The government of Rwanda is set to invest a lot of resources in Smart Rwanda and this is a golden opportunity for young developers to earn money. It is up to them to take the chance and develop solutions that the government needs to reach its objectives. During a recent live TV show that took place at kLab, Rwanda`s Minister of Youth and ICT Hon. Jean Philbert Nsengimana said that the government aims to see every citizen being smart. He noted that from a farmer, a teacher, a business person, etc. the government would like to see each and everyone adopting ICT and becoming smart.

Over the last two years of its existence, kLab has seen young developers innovating and creating tech solutions. Jean Niyotwagira is one of them and has been a kLab tenant as well as mentor. He is now an IT entrepreneur and the CEO of Torque Ltd (http://www.torque.co.rw/). Niyotwagira was sitting on the same panel with President Paul Kagame during Smart Rwanda day’s conference sharing his experience about the kind of opportunities young people have as well as challenges. His company has developed an online distribution channel management system for wholesale that distribute goods and services. If young developers such as Niyotwagira have created solutions that create jobs, others can also do it. They only need to have confidence that they have what it takes to succeed as noted by President Paul Kagame during Smart Rwanda day’s conference.

Written by: Daniel Nzohabonimana
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