As one of the fastest-growing African countries, Rwanda has selected ICT and digital as central engines for its socio-economic development to become a knowledge-based middle-income country. Although the government emphasises ICT and digital innovation in the country’s Vision 2020 and 2050 strategy, there are several barriers to spreading the benefits of ICT and digital across the country. The Rwandan government has concluded that the low digital literacy of its population is the primary factor limiting the achievement of Vision 2020 and 2050. In doing so, it has planned large-scale investments in providing digital skills to the population, and the Digital Ambassador Programme (DAP) is a representative example. Although this programme was officially launched in 2017, it has not yet been studied to understand its effects at the local level. This study aimed to explore the DAP's challenges to ensure its sustainable implementation. To do so, we first identified how the Rwandan government conceptualises digital literacy to achieve socio-economic development. It then analysed what the Rwandan government has failed to consider in designing and applying the DAP compared to the WEF's Digital Transformation Framework in improving digital literacy. In conclusion, the paper provides policy implications for Rwanda to enhance digital literacy and achieve digital transition through the DAP.

Authors:
In Cheol Jang, Yonsei University, Mirae Campus, South Korea
Kevin Martin, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Bryan Maddox, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Dr In Cheol Jang is a research professor in the Department of Global Public Administration at Yonsei University (Mirae campus), South Korea. His research focuses on ICT in Education and Digital literacy in developing contexts.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/in-cheol-jang-phd-805439116/

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/In-Cheol-Jang/research

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