Digital reforms could connect more than One Million Rwandans
By Rene Anthere Rwanyange
More than one million additional Rwandans could gain access to mobile internet by 2031 if the country adopts targeted digital reforms, according to a new report by the GSMA.
The report, Rwanda Digital Economy: Policy Reforms that Will Drive Rwanda’s Digital Future, estimates that the proposed reforms could add about 1.07 million unique mobile internet subscribers, representing a 22.1% increase over projections without the reforms.
The GSMA says Rwanda has strong digital infrastructure, with 4G coverage reaching about 96% of the population and 3G coverage 99%. However, only 21% of the population were unique mobile internet subscribers in 2025, showing a significant gap between network coverage and actual use.
The report identifies smartphone affordability, limited digital skills and a lack of relevant digital services as major barriers, particularly for lower-income and rural households.
GSMA recommends expanding affordable smartphone financing, strengthening practical digital skills programmes and increasing access to useful services in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, financial services and government services.
It also calls for more Kinyarwanda-language digital content and continued access to basic services for people using feature phones.
Angela Wamola, Head of Africa at GSMA, said Rwanda had built a strong digital foundation but many people still faced barriers to using it.
The report further estimates that greater digital adoption and economic activity could generate an annual net fiscal benefit of RWF218 billion by 2031, potentially offsetting the cost of targeted tax and affordability measures.
GSMA says coordinated action between government and industry will be needed to make smartphones more affordable, build digital skills, improve the relevance of online services and support sustainable investment in connectivity.
The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Their vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive.
Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Solutions and Events.
Connectivity for Good engages members, governments and civil society, to advance positive policy and spectrum outcomes, facilitate digital innovation to reduce inequalities in our world, and tackle today’s biggest societal challenges such as digital inclusion, climate change and sustainability.
Industry Solutions supports the technology and interoperability that make mobile work. For instance, they assist the industry’s development in areas such as 5G, Mobile IoT, fraud and security, through our projects, working groups and other collaborative activities.
While their services offer data, resources and tools to help businesses in the ecosystem work together more effectively, ultimately leading to better customer experiences on mobile devices.
Our events provide successful ways of bringing the ecosystem and adjacent industries together, to make strong business connections and drive positive impact. From the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event, MWC, in Barcelona, Shanghai, Kigali and Doha to the growing M360 series that has a more regional focus and Nova Future Summit.
