Under the Economic Transformation pillar of the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), digital transformation is to be achieved by 2029. To this end, the Government of Rwanda has made significant progress in service delivery, particularly through the use of technology, with the aim of digitising all government services and laying the foundations for a digitally transformed economy. Steps towards this goal include increasing citizens’ digital literacy to ensure they can fully access public services online.

The key objectives of Rwanda's digital transformation are to accelerate the shift towards a knowledge-based economy, facilitate universal access to smart devices and basic technology, and enhance digital service delivery. To achieve these objectives, the current digital literacy rate of 53% is set to increase to 100% by the end of 2029, equipping the Rwandan population with the essential skills to fully benefit from digital transformation. 

The Rwanda Information Society Authority, as one of the implementers of this digital transformation agenda, has been implementing the Digital Ambassadors Programme (DAP) since September 2017. The programme aims to increase the number of digitally literate citizens and promote their use of e-government services. It envisions that every Rwandan Cell should have a Digital Ambassador, while at the district level, two (2) Digital Ambassador Supervisors will oversee and coordinate district ambassadors deployed at the Cell level and compile reports for the central level.

The recruitment process for Digital Ambassadors takes place through the standard e-recruitment platform. Before their deployment to Cells, they undergo a one-week Training of Trainers (ToT) programme to equip them with the necessary skills to support citizens in improving their digital literacy. Each Digital Ambassador is provided with smart devices, including a computer and a phone, to facilitate their daily work in promoting digital skills and e-government service adoption.

As a result of these efforts, the Digital Ambassadors Programme (DAP) is now operational in all thirty (30) districts across the country, with two (2) Digital Ambassador Supervisors per district and one (1) Digital Ambassador in each Cell.

The most recent cohort of seven hundred and ninety-two (792) Digital Ambassadors successfully completed the ToT bootcamp as planned, bringing the total number of Digital Ambassadors above 2,030 nationwide. This expansion further strengthens Rwanda’s commitment to achieving a digitally literate population and fostering the use of technology in service delivery.

In conclusion, Rwanda’s Digital Ambassadors Programme plays a pivotal role in advancing the country’s digital transformation agenda. By equipping citizens with essential digital skills and increasing access to e-government services, the programme is bridging the digital divide and fostering a more inclusive, knowledge-based economy. With the continued expansion of digital literacy initiatives, Rwanda is well on track to achieving its goal of 100% digital literacy by 2029.