Rwanda strengthens AI governance 

• Rwanda has approved the creation of a National Artificial Intelligence Agency to oversee AI development, investment, adoption and governance.
• The move builds on the country’s 2023 national AI policy, which aims to position Rwanda as a leading African AI hub.
• Rwanda is supporting its AI ecosystem through the Rwanda AI Scaling Hub, a program backed by nearly $17 million in funding.

By Agencies

KIGALI – The Rwandan Cabinet approved the creation of a National Artificial Intelligence Agency on Monday, June 8. The new institution will drive the development, adoption, investment and governance of artificial intelligence technologies across the country. The agency will become Rwanda’s first institution dedicated entirely to artificial intelligence.

It will coordinate public- and private-sector initiatives, support the emergence of AI-based solutions and strengthen the governance framework required for the deployment of AI technologies in sectors including public administration, healthcare, education and agriculture.

The decision extends the implementation of Rwanda’s national artificial intelligence policy, which the government adopted in 2023. Through that strategy, Kigali aims to establish Rwanda as one of Africa’s leading artificial intelligence hubs by investing in skills development, research, data infrastructure, private-sector investment and responsible innovation.

The announcement also comes as Rwanda accelerates investments in its broader technology ecosystem. The Rwanda AI Scaling Hub program, which several international partners support, has secured approximately 25 billion Rwandan francs, or nearly $17 million, to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence solutions across the economy and public sector.

Beyond establishing a new government institution, Rwanda aims to consolidate its leadership position in a continent where many countries remain at the strategic planning stage of AI development.

In 2023, Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire said that nearly 70% of Rwanda’s national AI policy focused on skills development. She identified human capital as the primary driver for building a domestic AI industry capable of developing solutions tailored to African realities.

The emphasis on talent development reflects a broader economic objective. According to UNESCO, Rwanda still faces challenges related to the availability of specialized talent, access to training data and research capacity.

Despite these constraints, Rwanda maintains several competitive advantages that support its AI ambitions. The country benefits from a regulatory environment that encourages digital innovation and from a government strategy that strongly prioritizes emerging technologies.