Musanze district in collaboration with the Government of Japan has unveiled a technology hub room that will accommodate innovation and technology-based businesses for the youth in the area.
The investment sponsored by the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has invested the US $ 8 million worth Rwf8 billion in the wake to contribute to the government efforts in a favorable climate for start-ups to grow in and create jobs.
Available sources say, since JICA entered into an agreement with the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Technology and Innovation, it has built various technology rooms in various parts of the country including Rusizi, Huye, Rwamagana, and Musanze.
At the inauguration of the Musanze Innovation hub technology room, Musanze District Mayor Ramuli Janvier described it as a positive change in supporting a knowledge-based economy.
Japan’s ambassador to Rwanda, Masahiro Imai, said there are commonalities that his country shares with Rwanda, including the fact that they were countries that were not rich in natural resources but they managed to empower their people.
He said facilitating a good ground for businesses to grow through technology is one of the main pillars in making a knowledge-based economy succeed.
“As you know, human capital is the main source of development. We want to support Rwanda on its way to the 2050 vision. Technology is unique because there is a need to build a knowledge-based economy.”
Studies indicate Rwanda is the best country with a good startup ecosystem especially within the year 2022 because of the available funding to the young innovators through initiatives like Hanga Pitch Fest among others.
Recently, Kigali was ranked on the sixth position continentally for being the best start-up city in Africa according to the Start Blink survey.
The criterion was based on the number of start-ups, quality of businesses, and business as the major factor for the rank.
