Rwanda is taking steps to position itself as an AI leader in Africa, with a draft national AI strategy currently under development. The strategy aims to empower AI developers and users while promoting beneficial and ethical AI adoption.
The strategy focuses on developing 21st-century skills and AI literacy, building reliable infrastructure and computing capacity, creating a robust data strategy, promoting trustworthy AI adoption in the public and private sectors, and establishing practical ethical guidelines. It aligns with Rwanda's Vision 2050 and the African Union's Digital Transformation Strategy, and is being developed in collaboration with international partners like The Future Society and GIZ FAIR Forward.
Rwanda's smart city plans are a key component of its digital transformation efforts. The Smart Rwanda Master Plan focuses on economic transformation, job creation, and accountable governance. Kigali Innovation City aims to create a high-tech ecosystem modelled after Singapore, while the Smart City Masterplan, developed in 2017, aligns with the Smart Africa Alliance blueprint. These initiatives emphasise public engagement and open data as foundational elements.
In 2021, Rwanda enacted a comprehensive data protection law, establishing privacy as a fundamental right. This led to the creation of a Data Protection Office in 2022 to oversee implementation and awareness, and the launch of national campaigns on data protection and internet safety. The country continues to work on balancing data-driven development with privacy protections. However, concerns remain about the government's use of biometric data and surveillance technologies.
While Rwanda has made progress in some areas, challenges persist. Freedom House rates Rwanda as "Not Free" with a score of 22/100 in 2022, and the country faces criticism for restrictions on political rights and freedoms. Nevertheless, Rwanda has endorsed UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and is working on its implementation.
Rwanda is actively engaging in international AI initiatives. The country participated in the 2023 AI Safety Summit and endorsed the Bletchley Declaration, joined a call to action on responsible AI use in the military domain, and is collaborating with UNESCO on AI policy development and readiness assessment.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/