Kigali, May 28, 2025 - The Ministry of ICT & Innovation (MINICT), in partnership with the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), with funding support from GIZ, and in collaboration with other partners, officially launched the “KUSANYA E-Waste” awareness campaign to boost sustainable e-waste management in Rwanda. It is a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting the safe collection, management, and disposal of electronic and electrical waste in Rwanda. The campaign was unveiled during a press conference held at the Career Center Building in Kigali. The event brought together many stakeholders including the Ministry of Environment, Enviroserve Rwanda Green Park, and the Rwanda Inspectorate Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA), all with a common mission to strengthen Rwanda’s e-waste management systems and promote a circular economy.

 “RISA is proud to support KUSANYA as part of our broader mission to spearhead Rwanda’s digital and socio-economic transformation,” said Innocent Asiimwe Mudenge, Digital Cluster Coordination & Community Development Division Manager at RISA, who represented RISA at the launch. “This campaign marks a major step forward in turning e-waste from a threat into an opportunity” he added.

As Rwanda continues its digital transformation, the increase in personal and institutional electronic device ownership has led to a rise in electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) generation. Many outdated devices are improperly disposed of or stored indefinitely, posing serious risks to the environment and public health.

In response, RISA in collaboration with key partners, such as the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, has rolled out multiple national initiatives to enhance e-waste management systems. These include the establishment of 20 e-waste collection centers across Rwanda, with 10 more planned in the coming months. The collection points are managed by Enviroserve Rwanda Green Park under a public-private partnership with the Government of Rwanda. Additionally, RISA has conducted capacity-building workshops for institutions, such as hospitals and district offices, to promote informed disposal practices. 

Furthermore, RISA has also started the development of Rwanda’s first National E-Waste Management Strategy (2025–2031), which will serve as a roadmap for policy and innovation in sustainable e-waste handling across the country. “Responsible technology use means thinking beyond purchase and use; it means planning for a product’s end-of-life,” emphasized Mr. Mudenge. KUSANYA is a platform to bring together the government, private sector, development partners, and citizens in building a smart, sustainable e-waste system for Rwanda.

To that end, RISA is calling on startups, tech innovators, software developers, and environmental advocates to co-create digital solutions that support efficient e-waste operations, including disposal, collection, transportation, refurbishment, and recycling.

“KUSANYA” meaning “to collect” in Kinyarwanda is more than an awareness campaign. It represents a collective movement to build a culture of environmental responsibility in the digital age. With strong engagement from partners like the Ministry of Environment, Enviroserve, RICA, and international development agencies like GIZ, the initiative is poised to help Rwanda achieve its circular economy goals.

RISA invites all stakeholders and citizens to join this important mission to work together to ensure that Rwanda’s digital growth is matched with environmental responsibility. The press conference was concluded with media interviews with various participants.