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By Clarisse Niwemugeni
The region is expecting support from the EGEE-ICT Project to bridge gaps, drive inclusion, and lower internet costs across the region.
Became the focal point of Africa’s digital transformation journey as the Enhancement of Governance and Enabling Environment in the ICT Sector (EGEE-ICT) project was officially launched, marking a major milestone for regional cooperation. Kigali, September 30, 2025.
Funded by the European Union, the project spans 29 countries across five Regional Economic Communities: COMESA, EAC, IGAD, IOC, and SADC, with COMESA taking the lead in implementation. Its ambition is clear: to harmonize ICT policies, strengthen governance, and create an enabling environment that will reduce the cost of ICT services and expand digital inclusion across Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, and the Indian Ocean region.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Bernard Dzawanda, Director of Infrastructure and Logistics at the COMESA Secretariat, highlighted that while Africa has made significant progress in digital connectivity, the region continues to face gaps in policy alignment, infrastructure rollout, and affordability. He emphasized that the project is designed to provide concrete solutions.
“We are focusing on building regional frameworks that eliminate fragmented policies, reduce duplication, and create conditions for competition. This is how we will lower the cost of ICT and internet services, while also ensuring no country or community is left behind,” Dr. Dzawanda said.
He stressed that by empowering institutions with the skills and resources to monitor and implement harmonized policies, the project would directly address existing bottlenecks that have hindered the growth of the digital economy.
Reinforcing these remarks, Rodrigue B. Ruhashya, Acting Director General of Digital Transformation at Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation, underscored the importance of inclusion and affordability as central outcomes of the project.
“The digital divide in our region is still significant. Many communities, especially in rural areas, remain excluded from affordable and reliable internet. Through EGEE-ICT, we are not just coordinating policies; we are making sure that connectivity reaches the underserved, that women and youth benefit equally, and that costs come down to levels every citizen can afford,” he said.
Ruhashya added that Rwanda’s experience in ICT policy innovation shows the transformative impact of inclusive digital strategies and that the regional approach will enable countries to learn from one another while pushing down costs through economies of scale.
The EGEE-ICT project’s key activities include developing model regulatory frameworks to encourage cross-border ICT trade, fostering competition among service providers, and enhancing the capacity of both public and private sector institutions to design and monitor effective ICT policies.
The official opening in Kigali brought together high-level policymakers, regulators, and private sector players from across the region, creating momentum for a more unified and affordable digital future.
As the project moves forward, stakeholders agreed that its ultimate success will be measured not only in policies drafted but also in the tangible reduction of internet prices, greater inclusion of marginalized groups, and the emergence of a competitive ICT market that powers Africa’s integration.
