Airtel Africa, in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda, has announced the launch of the most affordable 4G smartphone under the ConnectRwanda 2.0 initiative. Airtel Africa’s latest venture aims to bridge the digital divide in Rwanda by providing over 1 million people in the country with high-speed, cutting-edge LTE smartphones by 2024. This move is in line with the government’s digital transformation vision, wherein all government agencies are striving to digitize their activities by 2024.
During a press conference held in Kigali ahead of the 2023 Mobile World Congress, Segun Ogunsanya, the Group CEO of Airtel Africa, expressed his pride in being a part of this transformative initiative. He emphasized the importance of digital empowerment in driving socioeconomic progress, stating that this affordable smartphone initiative would unlock new opportunities for learning, business, and connection.
$16.5 Smartphone
The affordable 4G smartphone, available at a price of 20,000 Rwandan Francs (approximately $16.5 or Ksh 2,500), coupled with a nominal monthly fee of 1000 Rwandan Francs (around US$0.8), brings the digital world within the reach of many Rwandans. Subscribers not only gain access to the smartphone but also enjoy 1GB of data daily and unlimited calls to any network in Rwanda.
Also speaking at the press conference, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT, Hon. Paula Ingabire represented by the Director General of Digital Transformation in the Ministry, Mr. Gordon Kalema, stated that: “All government agencies have a target of 2024 to digitize their activities. So, this initiative is aimed at enabling the realization of that ambitious target”.
He congratulated Airtel Africa for the successful launch of the 4G smartphone offer and for believing in Rwanda and the government’s digitization vision. He also thanked Mr. Reed Hastings, the co-founder and Chairman of Netflix, whose generous contribution made the initiative possible.
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