To establish an integrated public service platform that will only offer Government to Business (G2B) and Government to Citizen (G2C) services in Rwanda, or which will be accessible via internet and mobile devices, the Rwandan Government and the Rwanda Online Platform Limited has began the first phase of implementation of the Rwanda Online platform.

The agreement between the Government of Rwanda and Rwanda Online Platform Limited, signed in April 2014, granted the concession to Rwanda Online Platform to Build and Operate the Platform for 25 years, after which it will be transferred back to the Government of Rwanda.

The agreement is set to bridge the gap of access to information, and improve public service delivery through the digitalization of services. In the agreement, Rwanda Online Platform has committed to deliver one hundred pre-selected services using a phased approach over a course of three years starting from August 20th, 2014.

The first phase of implementation is expected to end in April 2015 whereby ten services are expected to go live. Starting this month, Rwanda Online will begin to work with the six institutions in Phase 1 to gather requirements, build prototypes and engage institutions in testing and training activities, leading up to the go-live date in April.

Services to be automated in the first phase include: National ID card application, Application for birth certificate, Registration for theory test, Application for Visa Permits, Application for Criminal Clearance certificate (extrait du casierjudiciaire), Application for building permits, Transfer of land title, Application for ordinary passport, Issuance of trading license and Land registration.

“The Rwanda Online platform will be a single service delivery portal for all Government ministries and agencies, providing citizens and businesses with a streamlined and efficient experience with reduced operational costs. Rwanda online is a transformational project that demonstrates government’s continued efforts and commitment to better the lives of the citizens and increase productivity while enhancing service delivery,” Rosemary Mbabazi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and ICT said.

Francis Gatare, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board said: “The Rwanda Online initiative is an excellent demonstration of how the return on investment made on ICT infrastructure continues to transform the lives of our citizens and make the Rwandan business environment even more attractive and competitive. We are looking forward to seeing the first ten services online, as a success story in public service delivery in Africa unfolds here within Rwanda. Even as all services shall be provided at a single point of access, accessible 24 hours/7 days via Internet and mobile devices, as we kick off the project for the next twenty-five years, we acknowledge the importance of a quick-win within the first phase of implementation.”

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