1.

Introduction

Data sharing in Rwanda has become increasingly significant due to the country's
growing focus on digital transformation and innovation. The government has made
substantial efforts to enhance data management, open data initiatives, and information
systems to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency across sectors.
Rwanda is embarking on a transformation from an agrarian-based economy to a digital
economy, a journey powered by data and emerging technologies. This ambitious shift
aligns with global trends in the 4th Industrial Revolution, where data serves as a key
driver of innovation, economic growth, and societal change. The country’s digital
transformation is embedded in national frameworks such as Vision 2020, the Economic
Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy II (EDPRS II), and the Smart Rwanda
Master Plan. (Government of Rwanda M. o., 2013-2018)

The Data Revolution Policy was introduced to harness the power of data for sustainable
development
. By leveraging big data and analytics, Rwanda aims to create a data-enabled
innovation industry, contributing to economic growth, transparency, and efficient
governance. This policy framework sets Rwanda on a path to becoming a leader in
data-driven development, particularly within the African continent. Rwanda's approach
also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting data
transparency, informed decision-making, and participation from all stakeholders.
(Government of Rwanda M. o., n.d.)

1.1 How it works in Rwanda’s context

1. Collaboration among Stakeholders & Interoperability and Standards: data
sharing in SDI involves multiple stakeholders, including government agencies,
private sector, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations while
SDI promotes data sharing by ensuring that spatial data is interoperable. This
means that data can be shared and used across different platforms and
applications without compatibility issues.
 2. National Land Authority (NLA): NLA plays a central role in SDI and data
sharing in Rwanda. It manages critical spatial datasets, including cadastral and
land-use data, and makes them accessible to public and private entities for
planning and development.
3. Geospatial Data Policy: The Government of Rwanda has established policies
and legal frameworks to regulate data sharing within SDI. These policies
emphasize the protection of data, ensuring privacy, and securing sensitive
information, while also promoting openness and access to non-sensitive
geospatial data.

1.2 Policy Rationale and Strategic Benefits

Policy Rationale: In today’s economy, data is a strategic asset. Globally, data powers
innovation, informs policy decisions, and drives economic growth by enabling precise
analysis. Rwanda has already invested heavily in its ICT infrastructure, creating a
conducive environment for the growth of a data-driven economy. Investments include
building repositories of government data, establishing strong governance frameworks,
and fostering a collaborative environment between the public and private sectors.
(Government of Rwanda M. o., n.d.)

The Data Revolution Policy builds on these efforts by establishing consistent rules,
standards, and strategies for effective data use. A 2013 Data Readiness Assessment
revealed that Rwanda possesses the foundational elements necessary for a successful
data-driven industry, such as strong political will, good governance, and modern
infrastructure. The policy addresses gaps identified in data handling and aims to unlock
the value of data for socio-economic transformation.
1.2.1 Strategic Benefits
The strategic benefits of this policy are far-reaching and touch on multiple sectors:

Enhancing Transparency and Citizen Participation: Open data fosters transparency

by making government activities visible to the public. For example, citizens can track
public expenditures, understand how resources are allocated, and monitor the
implementation of development projects. This transparency, in turn, promotes
accountability and encourages citizen engagement in governance. (Rwanda., 2000)

Economic Growth (GDP Contribution): By treating data as a sovereign national

asset, Rwanda plans to monetize its data repositories. Big data analytics will inform
decision-making, drive innovation, and create new business opportunities. Through the
sale of data insights and the development of data-driven services, the country will
witness an increase in GDP contribution from the data sector.
(Rwanda., 2000)
Monitoring National Development and SDGs: Data is essential for tracking Rwanda’s
progress toward national goals such as Vision 2020, EDPRS II, and the SDGs. With the
availability of granular data, it becomes easier to measure the success of development
programs and adjust strategies accordingly. Open data will also support the
development of applications that improve service delivery, particularly in health,
education, and infrastructure. (Rwanda., 2000)

Innovation and Application Development: Data-driven applications will provide new

solutions for challenges faced by various sectors. For instance, the development of the
Ubudehe database has enabled the categorization of citizens based on their economic
status, shaping government services and subsidies. Similarly, geographic information
systems (GIS) are used to map infrastructure assets, contributing to smart city
initiatives. (Rwanda., 2000)
Supporting Research and Development: The academic community stands to benefit
significantly from the policy. By providing access to open data, researchers can conduct
more accurate and in-depth studies that inform national policy. The involvement of
research institutions, such as the African Center of Excellence in Data Science and
Carnegie Mellon University, will ensure the development of local expertise in data
science, creating a strong foundation for future innovation.

Value for Money in Investments: Access to accurate data enables better decision-
making in both the public and private sectors. For government projects, data-driven
feasibility studies ensure that investments are sound, maximizing returns and
minimizing risks. For businesses, data insights improve operational efficiency and help
identify new market opportunities.

Geospatial Infrastructure and Smart Cities: The policy emphasizes the importance of
geospatial data in supporting Rwanda’s smart city initiatives. By integrating geospatial
information, the government can better plan urban development, monitor environmental
changes, and provide real-time services to citizens.

Situational Analysis of Rwanda’s Data Ecosystem

In 2013, the Open Data Readiness Assessment (ODRA) revealed both strengths and
weaknesses in Rwanda’s data ecosystem. On the positive side, Rwanda has vast data
repositories spread across government institutions and the private sector. Databases
like the National Citizen Registry, the Tax Payment Database, and the Health Insurance
Database hold valuable information that can be analyzed for economic and social
insights.

1.2.2 Strengths

 ICT Infrastructure: Rwanda’s investments in ICT infrastructure, such as the

national fiber-optic network, provide a robust foundation for data transmission
and storage.
  Political Will and Leadership: The government’s commitment to digital
transformation is evident in its strategic planning and the establishment of
institutions like the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).
 Data Repositories: Numerous government systems, including Irembo (the
online portal for government services) and the Business Registration Database,
contain massive datasets ready for analysis.
1.2.3 Challenges

 Fragmented Data Handling: Data is often stored in silos, making it difficult to

access and analyze across departments. A lack of centralized data management
slows the flow of information.
 Limited Skills and Resources: The shortage of skilled data scientists and
limited budget allocations for data initiatives are significant barriers to maximizing
the potential of existing data.
 Hosting Services: While Rwanda has established some data centers, there is a
need for more investment in affordable, scalable data-hosting services. Without
these, the cost of data storage may hinder growth.

1.3 Vision, Objectives, and Policy Areas

The Data Revolution Policy aims to build a data-enabled economy that fosters
innovation and accelerates social and economic development. The vision is ambitious
but achievable, given the country's existing strengths in ICT and governance.

1.3.1 Objectives

 Establishing Data Management Standards: Setting clear guidelines for data

classification, sharing, and privacy.
 Human Capital Development: Training data scientists, analysts, and IT
professionals to meet the growing demand for data skills.
 Framework for Data Lifecycle: Creating systems for data creation,
anonymization, release, and reuse.
  Promoting Innovation: Encouraging the development of data-driven
applications that create jobs and improve public services.
 Governance Framework: Instituting a formal structure to manage and oversee
data initiatives, ensuring compliance with policies.
1.3.2 Key Policy Areas

Data Revolution Principles: The policy follows principles of openness, privacy, and
security. Data will be classified based on sensitivity, with non-sensitive data made freely
available through a central data portal.
Human Capital and Resource Development: To address the skills gap, the policy
encourages partnerships with academic institutions like the University of Rwanda,
where students are trained in data science.
Private Sector Involvement: The private sector plays a vital role in developing
innovative data-driven services. Partnerships between the government and private
companies will help create new markets for data services.
Governance and Strategic Policy Recommendations
The governance framework outlined in the policy ensures that key players across
sectors work together to implement data initiatives effectively.

1.4 Governance Structure

 National Data Steering Committee: This committee will guide policy
implementation, ensure compliance, and coordinate data release from
government ministries.
 Data Revolution Office: This dedicated office will oversee the technical aspects
of data management, such as portal development, compliance with privacy
standards, and analytics.
 Data Focal Persons: Each government agency will appoint a focal person
responsible for managing data-related activities and liaising with the Data
Revolution Office.
1.5 Strategic Recommendations

 Institutional Guidelines: Clear procedures will be established for data

collection, storage, and processing across all institutions.
 National Data Portal: The creation of a national data portal will centralize
access to non-sensitive government data, making it available for public and
private use.
 Hosting Services: To reduce the cost of data hosting, Rwanda will incentivize
investments in data centers by providing tax breaks and subsidies for
infrastructure costs.
 Global Partnerships: Rwanda will collaborate with international organizations
and data-driven economies to build a competitive data industry. Rwanda aims to
improve its ranking in indices like the Open Data Barometer and the UN-E-
Government Ranking. (Bank, 2013)

1.6 Implementation Plan (2017-2022)

The policy includes a five-year implementation roadmap, with a total budget of 1.79
billion Rwandan francs. Key activities include:

 Establishing legal frameworks for data protection and privacy.

 Developing a national data portal.
 Training data professionals and fostering partnerships with academic institutions.
 Procuring technologies for big data analytics.
The implementation plan prioritizes governance, human capital development,
technology acquisition, and data monetization. The roadmap ensures that Rwanda can
turn data into a sovereign asset, driving growth and innovation in both the public and
private sectors. (Government of Rwanda M. o., 2015)
1.7 Conclusion
The Rwanda Data Revolution Policy positions the country to leverage data for economic
growth, transparency, and innovation. It aims to build human capital, establish
governance frameworks, and engage the private sector. By treating data as a sovereign
asset and ensuring privacy and security, Rwanda seeks to become a leader in data-
driven development. Through strategic investments and collaboration between
government, private sectors, and international partners, the policy lays the foundation
for a data-centric future, supporting innovation and sustainable development.
References

Bank, W. (2013). Open Data Readiness Assessment (ODRA) for Rwanda. From World
Bank: https://opendatawatch.com
Government of Rwanda, M. o. (n.d.). . Rwanda Data Revolution Policy. From
Government of Rwanda, Ministry of ICT and Innovation.: https://www.ict.gov.rw
Government of Rwanda, M. o. (2013-2018). Economic Development and Poverty
Reduction Strategy II (EDPRS II),. From Government of Rwanda, Ministry of
Finance and Economic Planning: https://www.minecofin.gov.rw
Government of Rwanda, M. o. (2015). Smart Rwanda Master Plan. From Government
of Rwanda, Ministry of ICT and Innovation. .: https://www.ict.gov.rw
Rwanda., G. o. (2000). Government of Rwanda. From Government of Rwanda.:
https://www.minecofin.gov.rw