{"id":26120,"date":"2026-09-17T11:53:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/?p=26120"},"modified":"2026-09-17T14:14:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:14:44","slug":"digital-reforms-could-connect-over-1-million-more-people-to-mobile-internet-in-rwanda-gsma-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/press-release\/digital-reforms-could-connect-over-1-million-more-people-to-mobile-internet-in-rwanda-gsma-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Reforms Could Connect Over 1 Million More People to Mobile Internet in Rwanda, GSMA Finds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Affordable smartphones, targeted digital skills programmes and services relevant to everyday life are key to extending digital inclusion among lower-income and rural communities<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

17 September 2026, Kigali:<\/strong> More than 1 million additional people in Rwanda could be using mobile internet by 2031 through reforms that make smartphones more affordable and digital services more accessible and relevant to everyday life, according to a new GSMA report released today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report, Rwanda Digital Economy: Policy reforms that will drive Rwanda\u2019s digital future<\/em><\/a>,<\/a>\u00a0 calls for targeted action to help lower-income and rural households benefit from the country\u2019s extensive mobile networks. Its recommendations focus on device affordability, digital skills, relevant content and services, and sustainable network investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The findings highlight a significant opportunity to build on Rwanda\u2019s strong digital infrastructure and ensure that more citizens can participate meaningfully in the digital economy, supporting the country\u2019s broader development ambitions under Vision 2050, the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and the National Broadband Policy and Strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bringing the benefits of connectivity to more people<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rwanda has made significant progress in expanding connectivity, with 4G networks covering approximately 96% of the population and 3G coverage reaching 99%. The country also has some of the most affordable mobile data prices in East Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, just 21% of the population were unique mobile internet subscribers in 2025. This highlights a significant gap between network coverage and use. For many households, particularly in rural areas, the cost of a smartphone remains out of reach. Limited digital skills and a lack of services and content that people see as relevant to their lives also constrain adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The findings come as the GSMA has separately called on chipset and memory manufacturers<\/a> to improve the affordability of components for entry-level smartphones. Rising component costs risk putting smartphones and access to emerging AI tools further out of reach, particularly for people in low- and middle-income countries, reinforcing the need for action on device affordability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report argues that closing this usage gap requires policies designed around the needs of people who are not yet using mobile internet. Alongside affordability, this means helping people use digital services that offer practical value, including healthcare, agricultural information, financial services and government services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Angela Wamola, Head of Africa, GSMA<\/strong> said: \u201cRwanda has built a strong digital foundation, but too many people still face barriers to using it. The next step is to make smartphones more affordable and ensure people have the skills and confidence to access services that matter to them. By focusing on the needs of lower-income and rural households, Rwanda can help more people benefit from connectivity and participate in its digital future.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A roadmap for wider digital inclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GSMA\u2019s analysis estimates that implementing the recommended reforms could connect approximately 1.07 million additional unique mobile internet subscribers by 2031 \u2013 22.1% more than projected without the reforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improved handset affordability and measures to make mobile internet more useful and relevant to everyday life are key drivers of this potential growth, particularly among lower-income and rural households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The analysis also finds that increased digital adoption and wider economic activity could more than offset the costs of targeted tax reductions and affordability measures, delivering an estimated net annual fiscal benefit of RWF 218 billion by 2031.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A call for coordinated policy action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report identifies four priorities for government and industry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n