Global Diffusion of the Internet: The internet in Rwanda

Abstract

We use the Global Diffusion of the Internet (GDI) framework to examine Internet diffusion in Rwanda along six dimensions: Pervasiveness, Geographical Dispersion, Sectoral Absorption, Connectivity Infrastructure, Organizational Infrastructure, and Sophistication of Use. Internet was launched in Rwanda in 1996 with the help of the USAID Leland initiative. Until 2001 Rwanda had only one Internet Service Provide (ISP) offering Internet services through dial-up, which causes Internet diffusion to grow at a very low rate. In 2001 following the award of two more ISP licenses to private-owned companies, the growth picked up some speed. But it wasn't until 2004, when the privatization of Rwandatel to Terracom brought in heavy investments and higher technology that a significant Internet penetration growth actually started. It is found that Internet growth in Rwanda is hampered by a number of factors namely; poor resource mobilisation, unrealistic implementation plans, shortage of qualified and experienced human resources to support the growth, minuscule private sector, the lower level of private sector involvement and the low Internet usage awareness. We found from investigation the existence of three major factors that point to a promising future for Internet diffusion in Rwanda namely: the elevation of Internet to the national strategic level through the Vision 2020, a strong and higher political will and a strong support from multilateral and bilateral donors.