- Rwanda, currently seeking to position itself as an innovation hub, is attempting to promote digital transformation through a collaboration with the tech giant Google.
- This partnership is expected to stimulate development in several areas, including a flagship fintech innovation program, the startup and developer ecosystem, and digital skills development.
Rwanda, currently seeking to position itself as an innovation hub, is attempting to promote digital transformation through a collaboration with the tech giant Google. This partnership is expected to stimulate development in several areas, including a flagship fintech innovation program, the startup and developer ecosystem, and digital skills development. The targeted sectors include the digitization of SMEs, places, arts and culture, as well as policy cooperation.
The program will be built on three pillars: training and community building to support developers, incubation support for fintech startups, and corporate innovation to help the private sector develop and integrate fintech into their institutional innovation. Google, in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation and Kigali Innovation City, will jointly promote Rwandan startups in Google’s pan-African acceleration program, known as Google for Startups.
Google, in partnership with the Rwanda ICT Chamber, will also support SMEs in developing their online presence by training iWorkers—essentially young people using digital platforms to create a Google Business Profile and use Google Ads. Google will support the Rwanda Museums to digitize museums and cultural heritage sites.