Rwanda has taken a significant step forward in its digital transformation journey with the unveiling of its national Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) strategy, setting the foundation for a more connected digital economy and accelerating ambitions in artificial intelligence.

Organised by the Rwanda Information Society Authority in collaboration with Access to Finance Rwanda and the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda’s first DPI engagement brought together stakeholders from across government, private sector, and development partners between March 4–5 and March 9, 2026, in Kigali. The engagement began with a technical training and certification programme delivered in partnership with Digital Frontiers Institute. Over two days, Chief Digital Officers, implementers, and ecosystem players were equipped with practical knowledge on DPI architecture, interoperable payment systems, and data exchange frameworks. This phase strengthened Rwanda’s technical readiness and established a growing community of certified practitioners to support DPI implementation.

Building on this foundation, stakeholders reconvened on March 9 for Rwanda’s first DPI Day, marking a shift from technical capacity building to national strategy alignment. The event also marked progress since the establishment of the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure in 2025, which is tasked with coordinating implementation and strengthening collaboration across the ecosystem.

Over the past decade, Rwanda has made strong progress in digitizing public services across sectors such as identity, payments, agriculture, and financial inclusion. However, as these systems expanded, many were developed independently, creating fragmentation and limiting their ability to communicate with one another. The introduction of the DPI strategy responds directly to this challenge by promoting a shared digital foundation built on interoperable systems.

Digital public infrastructure refers to foundational digital systems such as digital identity, interoperable payment platforms, and trusted data exchange layers that function as public goods. These systems enable both government and private sector actors to build and scale services more efficiently, improving service delivery and the overall experience for citizens.

In his remarks, Antoine Sebera, RISA CEO emphasized that DPI is about enabling seamless integration across institutions. He noted that without a shared foundation, the growth of standalone platforms risks limiting interoperability, scalability, and long-term sustainability. He likened DPI to “roads and electricity for the digital economy,” highlighting its role in accelerating innovation, inclusion, and service delivery across the country. He further stressed that the strategy does not replace existing systems but ensures that future solutions are secure, interoperable, and aligned with national priorities.

The strategy also positions Rwanda to unlock new opportunities in artificial intelligence by enabling access to high-quality, interoperable data across sectors. With stronger data exchange systems, AI technologies can become more effective in addressing real-world challenges and driving innovation.

Stakeholders underscored that the success of DPI depends on strong collaboration. Yves Iradukunda, Minister of State in the Ministry of ICT & Innovation emphasized the need for coordinated efforts across government institutions, regulators, private sector, and civil society to avoid duplication and ensure efficiency.

Jean Bosco Iyacu, the CEO of Access to Finance Rwanda highlighted the importance of inclusivity, noting that the DPI ecosystem must be open to innovators, businesses, academia, and underserved communities. He emphasized that shared and reusable digital systems can reduce barriers, expand financial inclusion, and enable innovation at scale.

From an implementation perspective, Sharon Umunyana, the Director for the Rwanda Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure pointed out that while technology is essential, the real challenge lies in building coordinated systems that foster inclusivity and economic growth. She noted that initiatives such as digital identity systems and interoperable payment platforms like e-Kash are already laying the groundwork for Rwanda’s DPI ecosystem, while the private sector will play a key role in building services on top of these foundations.

Partners also emphasized the importance of trust, safety, and inclusion. Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Rwanda, highlighted that strong safeguards are necessary to ensure that women, rural communities, and marginalized groups are not left behind, reinforcing that DPI is not an end in itself but a foundation for inclusive development.

Participants who completed the DPI training programme were awarded certificates during the event, marking the creation of a skilled and growing community that will support Rwanda’s transition toward a fully integrated digital ecosystem.

As Rwanda moves from digitized services to a unified digital infrastructure, the DPI strategy signals a clear national direction, one that prioritizes interoperability, collaboration, and inclusion. With a shared vision and aligned stakeholders, Rwanda is building a digital foundation that will power innovation, strengthen service delivery, and ensure that the benefits of the digital economy reach every citizen.