How Kenya should embrace technology for economic growth –Lesson from Rwanda

Kenya’s economic boast in East Africa could come to an end, should
Rwanda’s aging technological changes come to the helm of the region and the
entire Africa.

The country’s economy is the largest and the most advanced
economy in East and Central Africa, with strong growth prospects supported by an
emerging urban middle class and an increasing number high-valued goods
manufactured and services.

But this faces a threat owing to the increased cases of
corruption in the country, which has derailed some government projects and
services, stalling the economy.

First African made
Smart Phone

However, Rwanda –Kenya’s sister in the region, seems to be
aging out these issues, embracing technology and revamping the economy.

In October 7, President Paul Kagame launched ‘the first
African made’ Smart Phone in the Capital, Kigali.

According to KT Press Rwanda, the first “made in Rwanda”
phones rolled off the assembly line joining the existing international brands
like Samsung, iPhone, Techno and many more.

The phones, manufactured by Mara Phones Ltd, are designed to
give users all that they are looking for in a smart phone at an affordable
price.

RWASAT-1

In September 28, the country launched its own satellite, Rwasat-1,
in space courtesy of Japan and Tokyo University partnership with government.

According to the the Director-General of Rwanda Utilities
Regulatory Authority (RURA), Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Nyirishema, Rwanda “did
not want to always be consumers, we should also aim to be producers of what we
and others need.”

RWASAT-1 was built by a team of five Rwandan engineers (three
of them in Japan, and two in Rwanda), with support and supervision from Tokyo University.

Uber for Blood”
service provider

Recently, top young local hardware developers have engaged
in a competition, which brought together programmers, designers and entrepreneurs,
to intensively develop prototypes within three days.

Rwanda has also been selected as the host of continental
drone forum and global flying competitions slated for February 2020, following
Uber global accolade as the “Uber for Blood” service provider country.

This is after President Kagame launched first drone in
October 2016 – marking the country’s new means of transportation and delivery
of emergency medical supplies to remote areas.