4.3 Million Rwandans Have Gained Digital Literacy

There was a time when owning a phone meant only being able to make and receive calls. Few could have imagined that one day, millions of Rwandans would own this technological tool, which has now become an essential part of everyday life.

In the past, phones were mainly used to communicate with distant relatives or handle urgent matters. Today, they have become indispensable tools, serving as mobile banks that enable users to deposit, withdraw, transfer money, and even access bank services directly from their phones.

According to the FinScope 2024 survey, the number of Rwandans using financial services through mobile money rose from 62% in 2020 to 86%. The percentage of people using SACCO services is 51%, while those with insurance services are 13%.

Data from the EICV 7 Household Living Conditions Survey shows that 85% of Rwandan households own at least one mobile phone.

Phones now help Rwandans access various government services — including hospital appointments, tax payments, agricultural updates, and other daily needs.

The 2025/26 performance plan of the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) states that the government will continue to provide basic digital literacy training, targeting over 500,000 people this year alone. It also reveals that more than 4.3 million citizens have already received basic ICT training in previous years.

The Government of Rwanda aims for 100% digital literacy among citizens by 2029, up from 53% in 2024. Rwanda’s population currently stands at 14.1 million and continues to grow.

While presenting the government’s agenda to Parliament in August 2025, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva emphasized that the next five-year plan will focus on promoting technology use across all communities.

He said, “We will strengthen efforts to expand digital inclusion for all Rwandans. This includes increasing access to affordable smart devices so that everyone can use modern technology effectively.”

Rwanda also plans to expand its use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The government projects that one million young people will be trained in digital and coding skills, while 500,000 will receive advanced ICT training in the coming years.