The World Bank Group has approved US$100 million in financing under the International Development Association’s (IDA) Scale-Up Window to help the Government of Rwanda increase access to broadband and selected digital public services, and strengthen the digital innovation ecosystem in Rwanda.
According to a press release from the international financial institution, the funds will be managed by the government-run Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project.
The new Digital Acceleration Project will support the government to expand digital access and adoption by spearheading a series of innovative digital access and inclusion initiatives, including supporting 250,000 households with financing to help acquire smart devices as well as training three million people in basic digital literacy (with targets for girls and women).
Rolande Pryce, the World Bank’s Country Director for Rwanda, said: "Expanding digital access and adoption, improving digital public service delivery, and promoting digital innovation is essential for Rwanda’s digital transformation, which in turn can contribute to a strong post-COVID-19 recovery."
“The Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project encompasses all these elements and will contribute to Rwanda’s vision to become a knowledge-based economy and upper-middle-income country by 2035, by leveraging digital technologies to accelerate growth and poverty reduction,” Rolande added.
The project will also support Rwanda’s efforts to crowd in private sector investment in digital inclusion initiatives, digital infrastructure, and through support for digital innovation and entrepreneurship – to prepare the country for a data-driven and e-service based economy capable of supporting sustainable recovery in a post-COVID-19 context.
