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Rwanda Artificial Intelligence Agency
Work with us
Work with us

Why the Agency exists

Rwanda built strong foundations for AI. The Agency exists to turn them into results people can see.

Aerial view of the Kigali Convention Centre and the hills around Kigali
2023 Cabinet adopts Rwanda’s National AI Policy
6% of GDP is the potential contribution of AI, by C4IR analysis
49 countries endorsed the Africa Declaration on AI in Kigali
The challenge

Strong foundations, scattered delivery

In 2023, Rwanda became one of the first countries in Africa to adopt a national AI policy. It already had a modern data protection law, a data protection office and a growing pool of talent.

But AI work sat across many institutions, each with other priorities. No one owned the delivery of AI solutions, the shared infrastructure, the talent pipeline or the investment needed to scale. Meanwhile, the world was racing for computing power, talent and capital.

The Agency was created to close five gaps.

  • ImplementationToo few AI pilots reached national scale.
  • DataToo little AI ready data, and few safe ways to share it.
  • ComputeNot enough computing power in Rwanda.
  • TalentDemand for AI skills grows faster than supply.
  • InvestmentCapital for a local AI industry was hard to attract.
Mandate

One institution accountable for delivery

We coordinate, enable and accelerate the responsible use of AI across Rwanda. Our mandate covers government adoption, research and skills, responsible AI, industry growth, investment and global engagement.

Our work carries forward the National AI Policy, the second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050. We don’t replace existing institutions. MINICT holds policy, regulators keep their powers, and we connect their work so it gets delivered.

Our story

How we got here

The Agency is new. The work behind it is not.

  1. Your data gets protection in law

    Rwanda passes Law No. 058/2021 on the protection of personal data and privacy.

  2. Rwanda C4IR opens its doors

    Together with the World Economic Forum, Rwanda opens a centre focused on data governance and AI.

  3. Rwanda sets its course on AI

    Cabinet adopts the National AI Policy, with six clear priorities.

  4. Kigali welcomes the world

    More than 2,100 people from 97 nationalities come to the Global AI Summit on Africa. 49 countries endorse the Africa Declaration on AI.

  5. From pilots to national scale

    C4IR and partners launch the AI Scaling Hub to take promising pilots across the country.

  6. A new chapter begins

    The Rwanda AI Agency is established, with Rwanda C4IR as part of it.

Governance

Accountable, and built to move fast

We’re built to move fast. That lets us hire specialised talent, partner with companies and keep pace with the technology.

A Chief Executive Officer and an executive team lead the Agency. A Board of Directors with local and global expertise oversees it.

Founding capital and key partnerships got us started. Over the time, we aim to be economically sustainable.