Rwanda
Rwanda
Country Context
The Government of Rwanda continues to welcome and host refugees, many of whom have been in Rwanda for decades. The situation in the country is expected to remain stable and favorable for refugee protection. The country is home to more than 135,000 refugees primarily from the DRC and Burundi. Only 9% live in urban areas.
Our work aligns with the Government of Rwanda’s Graduation Strategy, a strategic initiative to move refugees towards self-reliance, integrating them into national systems with skills training, economic opportunities, and improved settlement conditions. The initiative also drives forward key components focused on digital transformation within the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
This work is also closely tied to UNHCR’s work on advancing digital employment opportunities for refugees and host through the Inclusive Digital Economy Alliance.
Country Statistics
Connectivity & Access
Rwanda has strong connectivity infrastructure, with 3G and 4G networks covering much of the population, and 5G available in select areas of Kigali.
Device affordability and digital literacy levels are slightly higher than in many other Sub-Saharan African countries, advanced by targeted efforts such as the public-private partnership that expanded access to affordable devices nationwide. However, refugees continue to face disproportionate barriers to accessing connectivity and fully participating online.
Our work
Our work is expanding connectivity access and affordability, device ownership, digital skills training, and local capacity building to meet the needs of forcibly displaced and host communities while also advancing sustainable solutions, all informed by timely, refugee-specific data.
Explore our work below:
Rwanda Country Profile
GSMA’s Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation programme produced a country profile on Rwanda, highlighting refugees’ experiences, infrastructure needs, and opportunities for engagement by the mobile industry. Profile can be found here.
Cellular Coverage Mapping
In collaboration with Ericsson Response, we mapped cellular coverage which provided data on signal availability, quality, and gaps in detail across all 5 refugee settlements. This data also contributed to the DCM and EWCM which support responders amidst crisis to restore connectivity and communicate with affected populations.
Enhanced Digital Access with MTN
In partnership with MTN Rwanda, we are providing holistic support to advance digital inclusion and self-reliance of refugees. Our efforts focus on expanding network use and device affordability, while strengthening digital skills and increasing mobile money adoption and use across all settlements and urban areas. In the past, GSMA’s Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation programme also supported MTN Rwanda to integrate protection into its mobile money operations by training agents in the humanitarian Code of Conduct and protection from sexual exploitation while servicing refugees and/or host communities, enabling safer online experiences
Connectivity, Needs and Usage Assessment (CoNUA)
ALIGHT Rwanda, in partnership with UNHCR, has conducted an assessment in all 5 refugee settlements to understand needs and usage patterns in those regions. Report will be available in Q2 2026.
Broadband Map
ITU is mapping infrastructure to guide investment, enhance digital inclusion, and support digital transformation. This also helps identify connectivity gaps affecting refugees and host communities, enabling more targeted, inclusive connectivity planning and policy decisions. More information can be found here.
Digital Skills Development
CfR supported Alight Rwanda to strengthen its ALIGHT Coding School by upgrading learning equipment and establishing an alumni database to better support graduates’ career pathways beyond the coding course. This is a continued collaboration as CfR partners have also previously supported the ALIGHT program to enhance pathways to education and livelihoods for refugees and host communities.
Disaster Connectivity Map (DCM) and Early Warning Connectivity Map (EWCM)
The DCM and EWCM are ITU-led mapping tools that help governments and first responders assess telecommunications coverage, performance, and gaps before, during, and after disasters. Using network data and AI-driven satellite analysis, they support faster decision-making to restore and improve connectivity for affected and underserved populations in Rwanda, including those who are forcibly displaced.
Digital Financial Inclusion Consortium (KUHI)
The KUHI Consortium created by GSMA, comprising ALIGHT, GiveDirectly, UNCDF, Viamo and World Vision, was established to leverage the complementary skills of each agency to facilitate digital and financial inclusion, which forms part of the Government of Rwanda’s efforts to increase the overall socioeconomic inclusion of refugees and host communities.