Samsung inks smart solutions partnership with Rwanda

GOVERNMENT

Samsung Electronics Ltd has sealed what it describes as 'a pioneering partnership agreement' with the Government of Rwanda, geared at facilitating the rollout of ICT solutions.

Samsung says the partnership between the Rwanda Government and Samsung Electronics is expected to play a key role in bridging the country’s digital divide in the fast growing country while boosting its Vision 2020 long term economic and social development plan.

With the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Samsung and the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Youth and Information Communication and Technology, Rwanda, becomes the first African state to make a concrete commitment and step forward in adopting Samsung e-Government solutions to aid in efficient service delivery.

Among the MoU highlights will be efforts to collaborate in Education and job creation development, youth leadership, Consumer electronic devices and mobile Applications development programmes featuring the Samsung Smart Government Solutions. The MoU may also see Rwanda adopting customised Samsung solutions such as a Solar Powered Internet School (SPIS).

Speaking in Kigali, Rwanda, during the MoU signing ceremony, which was preceded by a stakeholders workshop comprising all stakeholders in the country’s ICT sector including Education, Health and Justice, Rwanda’s Minister for Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, confirmed that the government of Rwanda is exploring feasible avenues to guide its e-Government solutions rollout.

The signing of the agreement, Nsengimana explained, is but the first step towards ensuring that the Rwandan government is well positioned to adopt Samsung’s patented solutions on the Education, Healthcare, Security, and e-Governance.

He said: “The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Ministry of Youth and ICT and Samsung Electronics is aimed at enhancing productivity, reducing costs and allowing ministries in the Rwandan government to deliver new and better services to citizens,” Nsengimana explained. And added: “We are looking forward to working with Samsung Electronics in achieving Rwanda’s Vision 2020 of transforming the country into a middle income country and more specifically to develop access to ICT down to the administrative sector level.”

Rwanda is among the most dynamic developing countries in terms of ICT, according to the latest report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The Government is proud of what it has achieved with regard to the development of the ICT, although we still have a long way to go, our objective is to be among the top performers globally or at least middle performers.

Speaking at the same ceremony, Samsung Electronics East Africa Managing Director Jong Oh Lee said: “This strategic ICT partnership with the Rwandan Government will ensure a continued multiplier effect on economic growth as Samsung has gained extensive understanding and insight in all areas of government service.”