Rwanda’s AI strategy: From vision to reality

From healthcare and education to agriculture and trade, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform economies and societies. Given the pace of change, countries need to start planning for the years ahead to make sure they can seize the opportunities that advanced AI will bring, while mitigating potential risks.

Among these forward-thinking nations, Rwanda has taken a decisive step. The country has recently unveiled its national AI policy, outlining its vision to position itself as the leading hub on the African continent for experimentation, development and deployment of trustworthy and scalable AI technologies. This policy not only outlines Rwanda’s aspirations, but lays out a clear roadmap towards achieving its vision.

The World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in Rwanda has been a key contributor in helping shape the country’s AI strategy. Collaborating with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the German development agency, GIZ, C4IR Rwanda was able to integrate international insights with the country’s unique needs. This collaboration ensured the AI policy is tailored to its socio-economic context, underpinned by global standards and informed by a diverse environment, including the private sector, government and academia.

The Rwanda AI policy aims to achieve the following objectives:

Countries worldwide are recognizing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI). This technology brings opportunities that could change many sectors, from healthcare to urban planning. Yet, with new advancements come new challenges.

Even in Rwanda, known for its innovative technological initiatives, these challenges are real. The healthcare sector needs to adapt to the increasing demand for quick and efficient services. Cities are looking for ways to manage growing traffic and address environmental issues. Businesses are navigating the digital shift, and employees are learning new skills to keep up.

For Rwanda, like many other nations, having a clear plan is essential to ensure that the benefits of AI are widespread and benefit everyone.

In 2020, the Forum partnered with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation of Rwanda to launch the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Kigali. As the first centre to join the Forum’s C4IR Network from the African continent, C4IR Rwanda has been supporting the country to unlock the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution since its inception. This was achieved by creating a thriving technology environment and adopting agile governance principles to develop world-leading technology policies.

C4IR Rwanda was instrumental in the development of the country’s Data Protection and Privacy Law, which paved the way for secure AI application deployments such as AI-assisted chatbots for triaging patients needing urgent medical care.

C4IR Rwanda collaborated with the Rwandan government and other key partners on the AI policy, which charts Rwanda's ambition to emerge as a mayor player for AI in Africa.

Among its responsibilities laid out in the policy, C4IR Rwanda will have several roles that will help shape the AI landscape in the country:

By embracing these roles, C4IR Rwanda stands at the forefront of propelling the country into a new era of AI excellence.

If you are interested in partnering with C4IR Rwanda to support the implementation of the above deliverables, get in touch.

If you are interested in partnering with the World Economic Forum to establish a C4IR in your country or region dedicated to unlocking the potential of exponential technologies, explore our global network and contact us.