Rwanda launches first satellite internet to boast literacy

The government of Rwanda has launched its first ever Satellite that will connect remote schools to the internet.

The global Satellite named ‘Icyerekezo’ is expected to usher Rwanda into a hyper-connected future, Rwanda’s Ministry of Information Telecommunication Technology and Innovation said in a statement.

The satelite got its name“Icyerekezo” from a student in Nkombo Island. Nkombo is one of the remotest Islands within the volcanic Lake Kivu in the western part of the country.

According to Minister Ingabire, naming the Satellite “Icyerekezo” by Nkombo students “truly depicts their own aspirations to embrace Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and emerge the workforce of the future. This partnership responds to our intention of becoming a regional Technology Innovation Hub, opening new pathways for connectivity, providing better education and creating new opportunities for our innovators.”

The minister of ICT and Innovation in Rwanda revealed during the launch that the choice to invest in space technologies is part of Rwanda’s broader mission to bridge the digital divide by providing equal digital opportunities to rural and remote communities.

“We are delighted to partner with OneWeb in this transformative initiative which presents us a huge opportunity to leverage satellite connectivity, using OneWeb’s constellation, providing low-latency and high-speed internet to schools in remote communities of Rwanda,” she added.

According to Minister of Education Dr. Eugene Mutimura, “This partnership with One-Web to use satellite technology and connect all schools is a huge opportunity to support and allow us to leapfrog the current process in bid to connect all schools in the country in the next 3 years.”

Greg Wyler, Founder and Chairman of One Web said, “Connecting remote schools to bridge the digital divide that still impacts half the population of the world is at the heart of OneWeb’s vision. We are delighted to partner with the Rwandan Government and particularly the students of Nkombo. The connectivity we can provide them will allow them to realise their dreams and allow Rwanda to become a hub for technological innovation.”