Smart Kigali initative enhances free internet in the City

By Vincent Mpepo

Kigali residents have started enjoying the free internet services as a result of Huge Development in ICT which came into existence as the efforts of private partnership; internet service providers and the government.

According to AllAfrica.com-Sep 23, 2014 since launching of the programme in September 20 grants free wi-fi access has been placed in the city and especially in restaurants, King Faisa hospital, Nyabango Tax Park, commercial buildings and public buses.

Other areas within Kigali, which have the free public Wi-Fi, include the Kigali City Tower, Union Trade Center, Remera-Kisementi, Stade Amahoro, Kigali Public Library, KBC, Airport, KIE, Kacyiru Ministere and KIST among others.

Collectively, internet providers Tigo and Airtel, the City of Kigali, the Rwanda Development Board and the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency made the project possible.

According to The New Times part of the ‘Smart Kigali’ initiative aims to allow visitors and tourists easy access to city landmarks and mapping while being able to utilize convenience services on the web.

Wi-fi signals and hotspots were installed based on the amount of people who frequent an area. A listing of internet accessible buildings and locations was issued, the report said, prior to the launch.

The Minister of Youth and ICT Jean Philbert Nsengimana said the initiative will boast trade and information exchange as it will accelerate growth of economy of country.

“Broadband is there to fast track business, information exchange, information generation and consumption; it’s a foundation of a knowledge economy. I expect this to accelerate out mover from agriculture based economy to a knowledge based economy”, said the minister.

Smart Kigali Initiative includes MTN Rwanda, AIRTEL, ISPA, TIGO Rwanda Ltd, BSC Ltd and LIQUID Telecom.

 Though ‘Smart Kigali’ is largely a government effort to push ICT development further, the UN’s Broadband Commission for Digital Development 2013 report revealed that only eight percent of the country’s citizens use the internet on a regular basis.

The Smart Kigali initiative launched in Rwanda’s capital city will allow residents to access free wireless internet connectivity at designated places.