GSM network giants, Airtel Africa had launched the Rwanda 4G smartphone. This launch is based on a partnership program with the government of Rwanda, the program’s theme is ConnectRwanda 2.0. Airtel Africa, already operating in over 14 countries in Africa, is working together with the Rwandan government, the program is aimed at equipping over 1 million citizens of Rwanda with upgraded and fast LTE smart devices by next year.
While gearing up for the upcoming 2023 Mobile World Congress, Segun Ogunsanya, group CEO of Airtel Africa said “We are proud to be part of this transformative initiative that promises to rewrite Rwanda’s digitization story and give more Rwandans a reason to imagine.” In addition, he said with the launch of the affordable smartphone, new prospects for schooling, commerce, and interconnectivity would bring about creativity and economic advancement.
The new smartphone is priced at 20,000 Rwandan Francs (equivalent to US$16.5) alongside a monthly charge of 1,000 Rwandan Francs (approximately US$0.8), which equals Ksh2,300. In addition, subscribers will enjoy 1GB of daily data and unrestricted calls to any network in Rwanda, improving and enhancing seamless connectivity.
Mr. Gordon Kalema, who was sitting in for Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT explained that “All government agencies have a target of 2024 to digitize their activities. So, this initiative is aimed at enabling the realization of that ambitious target”. Mr. Kalema is the Director General of Digital Transformation in the Ministry.
He concluded by thanking Airtel Africa for the 4G smartphone launch program, for their belief and support in his country’s digitalization vision, and for Netflix co-founder and chairman Mr. Reed Hastings. Netflix was an important factor in the realization of the program.
