President Kagame joins Broadband Commission celebration of 15 years advancing digital inclusion
Date: 2025-07-07
President Paul Kagame has joined global leaders at Urugwiro Village to commemorate 15 years of the Broadband Commission’s work in expanding digital connectivity worldwide. As co-chair of the Commission alongside Mexican business leader Carlos Slim, President Kagame participated in high-level discussions on accelerating universal broadband access a key driver of economic growth and social development.
The session, led by International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, reflected
on the Commission’s achievements since its founding in 2010 while charting a
course for closing the digital divide in the decade ahead. Under President
Kagame’s co-leadership, the Commission has championed policies to connect
underserved communities, particularly in Africa, where over 30% of the
population remains offline.
“Broadband is not a luxury but a
necessity for equitable participation in the modern economy,” President
Kagame emphasized during the event. The gathering highlighted Rwanda’s own
progress as a case study, with the country achieving 85% 4G coverage and
emerging as a continental leader in digital governance and innovation.
The anniversary meeting also
previewed the Commission’s new roadmap for 2025–2030, which prioritizes
affordable connectivity, digital skills development, and gender-inclusive
access—aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. As the Commission enters
its next phase, President Kagame’s continued leadership signals Africa’s
growing influence in shaping global digital policy.
The celebration also reinforced
broadband infrastructure as critical infrastructure for the 21st century, with
Rwanda serving as both a model and advocate for digitally empowered societies
across the developing world.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
