Rwandan President Paul Kagame has praised MTN Rwanda for its significant investments and contributions to the country’s development over the past 25 years, saying “it is something we need to celebrate”.
Addressing the gathering at the Mobile World Congress held in Kigali, President Kagame commended the telecommunications giant for its unwavering commitment to innovation, connectivity, and socio-economic progress.
“We took risks both of us; you took a risk with us and we took a risk with you, but here, 25 years later, I think we can say we are happy. It’s not an understatement; it’s real; it is something we need to celebrate. I have no doubt; we will do even better in the near future,” Kagame noted.
In his address, President Kagame expressed gratitude towards MTN Rwanda’s ongoing partnership with the government in various sectors, including health, agriculture, and education. He emphasised the significant role that technology and connectivity play in advancing these areas, ultimately leading to improved livelihoods and a prosperous future for Rwanda.
He drove down memory lane, describing how the collaboration draws from four years prior to the official investment, when Rwanda was on the path of almost total destruction and South Africa was rising from another tragic history, and “at that point, we whispered to each other that in any case, we will keep together.”
He revealed how later on in 1998, during a cabinet meeting that was to decide which company would take on the bid to kick off the telecommunications sector in the country, Kagame made a point that challenged the rest of the voters who were leaning more on the side of a Rwandan company that had helped in the struggle to liberate Rwanda but had an analogue technology.
He reminded the then cabinet members that they were looking for a technology that would serve the country well, hence the decision to take MTN’s offer.
The head-of-state said it was a pleasure celebrating the long, sometimes challenging but profitable endeavour undertaken in partnership.
Who else would have found it easy to invest in a country that had just emerged from a tragic history as we know it”, President Paul Kagame said on Wednesday, October 18, at the Kigali Convention Centre while lauding MTN’s 25 years of doing business in Rwanda.
“Now, we are counting millions of people who have mobile phones in their hands and others served by MTN Mobile Money. Let’s continue building from there,” he added while inviting the group officials to consider Rwanda as a home away from home.
MTN Rwanda, as a leading telecommunications provider, has played a vital role in transforming Rwanda’s digital landscape.
Since 1998, MTN Rwanda has continuously invested in expanding and modernising its network and leading digital solutions for Rwanda’s progress.
The company’s investments in infrastructure, technology, and human capital have not only improved access to communication services but also stimulated economic growth and created job opportunities for the Rwandan people.
During the MWC summit, MTN Rwanda showcased the nation’s first-ever live 5G network technology—a technology that aims to provide access to advanced and high-speed mobile internet services with reduced latency, significantly enhancing the internet user experience.
With its transformative power, 5G is expected to not only elevate digital experiences but also fuel economic growth and further drive the country’s digital inclusion agenda.
The acknowledgment bestowed upon MTN Rwanda by President Kagame serves as a testament to the company’s dedication and positive impact on the nation.
