Microsoft has launched an initiative dubbed 4Afrika in Rwanda to enable its active participation in Africa’s economic development to promote its global competitiveness.
The 4Afrika initiative will focus on disseminating affordable smart devices designed for Africa and that seeks to support application development by Africans for Africans.
The initiative has been built on an education platform with an intention to develop technical and entrepreneurship skills as a means to boost employability especially among the youth.
Patrick Nyirishema, Head of ICT Department in Rwanda Development Board, said that the Government of Rwanda has identified two lead programs for possible collaboration with Microsoft within the 4Afrika initiative: the Viziyo program which is set up to support citizen-access to smart phones while the Smart Village program is built on the concept of replicating ICT model villages across the nation as a means to achieve Rwanda’s goal to become an ICT driven economy.
During the launch the Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana pointed out that big opportunities are apparent in Rwandan’s ICT industry.
He added that Technology is a principle element towards numerous aspects of national development and Rwanda cannot be left behind and that a lot can be achieved through collaboration, consultation, and smart private-public partnership.
The minister applauded the Microsoft’s 4Afrika initiative explaining that that the Company is committed to developing innovative approaches using the power of technology to help transform social and economic progress in Rwanda.