Rwanda, Huawei launch DigiTruck to boost digital skills nationwide

Kigali [Rwanda], October 5: The Rwandan government, in partnership with China's Huawei Technologies, has launched a new project aimed at delivering digital skills training to underserved communities across the country.
Dubbed DigiTruck, the project features a mobile, solar-powered classroom equipped with laptops, internet access and digital learning devices.
Launched Friday at Kagarama Secondary School in the capital Kigali, the program targets more than 5,000 Rwandans across all 30 districts over the next three years. With a focus on youth, girls and farmers, the initiative seeks to equip participants with essential digital skills, officials said.
The project supports the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which aims to train one million citizens in digital skills. Officials said the innovative, mobile approach will ensure that even the most remote populations gain access to digital literacy.
The launch also marked the completion of the first phase of the Rwanda Smart Education Project, implemented in partnership with Huawei and financed through a concessional loan from China. That initiative connected 1,500 schools to high-speed internet, established two modern data centers, and built a dedicated education network to support digital teaching and learning nationwide.
Speaking at the event, Rwandan Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana said the joint celebration reflected the country's commitment to inclusive, technology-driven education. "Let us continue to invest in innovative and inclusive solutions that empower our youth and communities with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the 21st century," he said.
He also thanked partners, particularly Huawei Technologies and the China International Development Cooperation Agency, for their continued support in building a brighter, smarter and more equitable future for Rwanda.
Eraste Rurangwa, permanent secretary in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, said the DigiTruck is an integral part of Rwanda's One Million Rwandan Coders program, a key driver of the country's vision of becoming a knowledge-based economy.
"Initiatives like the DigiTruck represent more than technology. They are a gateway to opportunity, empowerment, and Rwanda's future as a knowledge-driven economy," Rurangwa said.
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said the successful completion of the Smart Education Project's first phase underscored the importance of integrating technology into education. He reaffirmed the embassy's commitment to advancing cooperation in education and other fields for the benefit of the two countries and peoples.
Huawei Technologies Rwanda Managing Director Jin Jiqing said that in the past three years, initiatives such as Seeds for the Future, ICT Academy and ICT Competition have trained more than 1,000 Rwandan youth, giving them skills, confidence and international exposure.
"We are eager to expand the benefits of this project, further bridge the digital divide, and continue to empower teachers and students with cutting-edge technology," he said.
Source: Xinhua News Agency