Today was held in Musanze the Official launch Innovation Center for ICT Innovation Ecosystem Project, and Ambassador Masahiro IMAI of Japan delivered a message showing the support of his country to Rwanda in ICT and other main sectors. Read below his Speech:
Introduction
First of all, I would like to thank the journalists for participating in our press tour on Japan’s cooperation in Rwanda’s ICT sector today. I would also like to congratulate everyone involved for the opening of the Musanze Innovation Center under JICA’s ICT Innovation Ecosystem Strengthening Project.
Japan’s support to Rwanda and the ICT sector
The Embassy of Japan and JICA Rwanda office have been working hand-in-hand in terms of development cooperation, with the aim to promote sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, and job creation in Rwanda.
We focus on infrastructure development, agriculture development, social service improvement, and human resources development. ICT and innovation fall into our human resources development pillar.
As we all agree, human resources are important foundation for sustainable growth. We are also aware that for Rwanda to achieve economic development and sustainable growth associated with the Vision 2050 goals, the ICT sector occupies an important position particularly in the realization of a ‘knowledge intensive economy.’
VISION 2050 advocates for active utilization of ICT as a catalytic tool in various sectors to transfer the current industrial structure toward the ‘knowledge intensive economy.”
Japan’s support to the ICT sector
Japan has been actively engaged in the development of ICT sector in Rwanda since 2010, to create conductive and innovation emerging ecosystem in the country.
Generating innovation and value added services and products is vital to create knowledge-based industries and achieve Rwanda’s aspiration of becoming a ‘knowledge intensive economy.’
As an ICT sector’s lead country among development partners of Rwanda, Japan promotes ICT applications in both public and private sectors as well as the afore-mentioned four priority areas through the implementation of the projects.
For instance, some of the graduates of the 250startups Program, which is part of this same ICT Project, participated in Hanga Pitch festival startups competition last year.
I attended the awarding ceremony chaired by President Kagame, and was grateful to see some of the fruits of our cooperation becoming part of the path to development of the country initiated by the Rwandan Government.
I therefore appreciate the dedicated work and efforts made by Japanese experts and Rwandan nationals, as well as designated counterpart agencies.
Conclusion
I sincerely hope that our press tour today helped you understand the impact of this Rwanda-Japan cooperation in the ICT sector. With your assistance, we hope to further promote awareness and good understanding among the Rwandans on Japan’s contribution to the sustainable economic growth of this country. Thank you very much. (End)