Connectivity and Digital Work in Rwanda

Rwanda hosts more than 137,000 refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom have been in the country for decades. 90% of refugees reside in five camps: Kiziba, Nyabiheke, Kigeme, Mugombwa, and Mahama. The Government of Rwanda (GoR) has established a progressive legal and policy environment for refugees to encourage active participation in Rwandan society.  In parallel, the GoR has made significant investments in digital infrastructure and inclusion. The country has already achieved 98% 4G population coverage nationwide, with 5G already live in select areas. 

At the intersection of these two agendas lies a growing opportunity: digital inclusion and digital livelihoods as pathways to self-reliance for refugees and the host communities who live alongside them. 

This report presents the findings of three assessments conducted across refugee camps and host communities in Rwanda: a mobile network coverage mapping exercise carried out across all five refugee camps; a connectivity needs and usage survey covering all five camps and urban Kigali; and focus group discussions (FGDs) on digital work and livelihoods held in Mahama, Nyabiheke, and Kigali. The findings in this report aims to build the evidence base to better understand the connectivity landscape, including opportunities in the digital economy, for refugees and their host communities in Rwanda.

Read the report here.