Digital trust and AI oversight dominate discussions at Rwanda Internet Governance Forum

By Elias Hakizimana.

Government officials, technology leaders, civil society, Academia and researchers, development partners and young innovators called for stronger digital trust, responsible artificial intelligence (AI) governance and greater inclusion as they opened the Rwanda Internet Governance Forum (RwIGF) 2026 in Kigali on Thursday, July 30.

The annual forum, organized by the Rwanda Internet Governance Forum Secretariat under the Rwanda Internet Community and Technology Alliance (RICTA), brought together stakeholders to discuss how Rwanda can govern emerging technologies as AI, digital public infrastructure and digital financial systems become increasingly important to the country’s economy and public services.

Held under the theme “Governing the Internet in the Age of Intelligence: Our Shared Responsibility,” the forum focused on strengthening accountability, security and public confidence in digital systems while ensuring that technological progress benefits all citizens.

Opening the discussions, Grace Ingabire, Chief Executive Officer of RICTA, said the rapid convergence of artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and digital finance requires governance approaches that can keep pace with innovation.

Grace Ingabire, Chief Executive Officer of RICTA, delivers opening remarks

She said Rwanda’s progress in digital transformation—from platforms such as Irembo to digital identity systems and expanding digital payment solutions—demonstrates the potential of technology to improve lives, but stressed that public trust must remain at the foundation of this progress.

“Governance of the internet and increasingly intelligence itself is not the task of any single ministry, company or institution,” Ingabire said. “It is a shared responsibility between government, the private sector, civil society, development partners and citizens.”

She highlighted the importance of preparing future digital leaders through the Rwanda School on Internet Governance (RWSIG) and the Rwanda Youth Internet Governance Forum (RWYIGF), which brought together nearly 200 participants, noting the role of the Internet Society Rwanda Chapter (ISOC Rwanda) in building national digital policy and internet governance capacity among emerging leaders.

Representing young people at the forum, Nadine Sikubwabo said Rwanda’s investments in digital infrastructure, innovation and public services have created opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and access to government services.

Participants attend the Rwanda Internet Governance Forum (RwIGF) 2026, held under the theme “Governing the Internet in the Age of Intelligence: Our Shared Responsibility,” 

However, she called for continued efforts to address barriers affecting young people, especially in rural areas, including access to affordable internet, digital devices, mentorship, funding and research opportunities.

Sikubwabo urged stakeholders to increase youth involvement in internet governance, saying young people are ready to contribute ideas and solutions to the country’s digital future.

Delivering a keynote address on behalf of Smart Africa, Dr. Ralph Oyini Mbouna, Director of Digital Transformation and Services, said internet governance has become a development, economic and sovereignty issue for Africa.

He said the continent has the expertise and innovation capacity needed to influence global digital discussions but requires stronger coordination among countries and institutions.

“Africa has talent, innovators and strong institutions,” Mbouna said. “What is missing is coordination of those voices.”

He announced that Smart Africa has developed an Internet Governance Blueprint aimed at strengthening national capacities and improving Africa’s participation in global internet governance. The blueprint will be submitted to the Smart Africa Steering Committee in September.

Mbouna also outlined plans for a proposed Council of African Internet Governance Agencies, describing it as a coordination platform that would bring African stakeholders together without replacing existing global institutions such as the Internet Governance Forum, ICANN or the International Telecommunication Union.

Representing the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Deputy Resident Representative Nana Chinbuah praised Rwanda’s leadership in digital transformation but warned that increased connectivity must be accompanied by efforts to close affordability gaps.

Her remarks came as Rwanda prepares to transition away from legacy 2G and 3G networks toward faster digital infrastructure.

She said access to affordable devices and internet connectivity remains a challenge for many citizens and called for joint action from government, telecom operators, the private sector, civil society and development partners.

“The transition to modern networks must become a bridge to expand inclusion rather than a barrier that deepens the digital divide,” Chinbuah said.

She reaffirmed UNDP’s support for Rwanda’s digital agenda through initiatives focused on secure digital public infrastructure, AI capacity building and governance systems based on trust, safety and protection of digital rights.

Eraste Rurangwa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, said digital transformation remains central to Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050.

He highlighted the country’s progress in digital identity, mobile money and online public services, saying AI is already contributing to improvements in areas such as healthcare, education and fraud detection.

However, he said AI adoption must be accompanied by stronger governance measures to address accountability, oversight and coordination challenges.

“Trust, security and interoperability are not obstacles to innovation; they are its foundation,” Rurangwa said.

He added that Rwanda’s approach to AI governance will involve collaboration with industry, academia, civil society and technical communities to develop practical safeguards while supporting innovation.

The forum is expected to produce recommendations on AI governance, digital public infrastructure, internet regulation and digital inclusion, contributing to Rwanda’s national and global conversations on the future of technology.

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