Rwanda is working to become a leader in artificial intelligence in Africa. It has signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia to strengthen its AI sector through innovation, training, and global cooperation.
AI is expected to change economies worldwide, affecting how things are made, education, government, and health. Africa wants to be a part of this change, and Rwanda is trying to lead the way in this technological shift.
On April 23, 2025, Rwanda partnered with the Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) of the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia during Dubai AI Week. Ambassador John Mirenge signed the agreement for Rwanda, which aims to improve AI development through joint projects in governance, technology, and training.
Rwanda has had its own Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Rwanda) since 2022, in partnership with the World Economic Forum. This center is leading AI projects and recently launched a plan to develop 50 AI applications in health, agriculture, education, finance, and public administration over four years.
This plan is part of Rwanda’s larger digital strategy, Vision 2050, which aims to turn the country into a knowledge-based economy. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies believes that the digital economy could make up almost 10% of Rwanda’s GDP by 2030.
The agreement signed in Dubai shows a desire to combine strengths. The United Arab Emirates, a leader in using AI in public services, will share its knowledge in algorithmic governance. Malaysia is known for its innovation programs in industry and technology education.
Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, said that AI should help everyone, not create a digital divide. The new agreement will focus on training young people, data ethics, and making technology accessible to rural areas. An AI scholarship program has already allowed Rwandan students to train abroad.
We must not be mere consumers of global innovation, but co-authors of it
However, challenges remain. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 22% of Africans had internet access in 2023, which is necessary for using AI solutions. Therefore, Rwanda needs to form partnerships to quickly close these gaps.
AI must be a tool of inclusive developmnent, not a driver of the digital divide
Through these efforts, Rwanda aims to become a technology hub in Africa and contribute to a responsible AI model. President Paul Kagame said that Rwanda should not just use global innovation but help create it.
