Rwanda has stepped up efforts to attract partnerships in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence during the World Economic Forum (WEF), as it seeks to accelerate digital transformation while maintaining control over national data and critical infrastructure.
On the sidelines of the annual gathering in Davos, held from January 19 to 23, Rwandan officials held a series of strategic discussions with international technology firms, focusing on cybersecurity capacity, artificial intelligence computing infrastructure and digital sovereignty.
The talks were led by Rwanda’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Paula Ingabire, who said the government now considers these areas central to its national digital agenda.
Officials described the engagements as part of a broader effort to position Rwanda as a regional digital hub while ensuring that the expansion of digital infrastructure aligns with national security and data governance priorities.
Cybersecurity a growing priority
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Among the meetings held in Davos were discussions with executives from U.S. technology company Cisco, centred on cooperation in cybersecurity and AI infrastructure.
Rwandan officials highlighted the country’s Cyberhub initiative, which is designed to serve as a centre of expertise, innovation and coordination in cybersecurity. The project aims to strengthen national resilience against cyber threats while supporting the development of a domestic cybersecurity ecosystem.
Talent development also featured prominently in the discussions, with Rwanda pointing to its national cyber academy as a key pillar of its long-term strategy. The academy is intended to train local specialists and reduce reliance on external expertise in a field that has become increasingly critical for governments and businesses.
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The talks also explored the potential use of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration programme, a global initiative that supports governments in adopting digital technologies. While no agreements were announced, Rwandan officials said the framework could help align public and private sector efforts to modernise digital infrastructure.
AI infrastructure and data strategy
Rwanda also held discussions with Amini, a company specialising in data and artificial intelligence, focusing on more flexible and decentralised approaches to computing infrastructure.
According to officials, the talks examined the deployment of micro data centres and access to high-performance computing capacity through graphics processing units (GPUs), which are essential for advanced AI applications.
The discussions also touched on the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital twins to improve spectrum management and national connectivity. These tools could help authorities optimise the use of limited resources while supporting the expansion of digital services.
Rwandan officials said such approaches could allow the country to scale up computing capacity more quickly than traditional large-scale data centre projects, while also improving resilience and efficiency.
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Balancing innovation and sovereignty
A key theme running through Rwanda’s engagements in Davos was digital sovereignty the idea that countries should retain control over their data and critical digital systems, even as they partner with global technology firms.
By prioritising targeted and modular partnerships rather than highly centralised infrastructure projects, the government hopes to accelerate deployment while maintaining stronger oversight of sensitive data.
At this stage, the discussions remain exploratory, and no formal agreements have been announced. However, officials said the talks reflect a deliberate strategy to shape partnerships around Rwanda’s policy priorities rather than adopting off-the-shelf solutions.
Analysts note that digital sovereignty has become an increasingly prominent concern for governments worldwide, particularly as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and cross-border data flows expand.
Digital transformation as an economic lever
Rwanda has invested heavily in digital infrastructure over the past decade, promoting technology as a driver of economic growth, public sector efficiency and private sector innovation.
The government has positioned digital services as a key component of its long-term development strategy, alongside investments in education, health and infrastructure.
By engaging with global technology firms at forums such as Davos, Kigali is seeking not only technical solutions but also partnerships that can support skills development, knowledge transfer and long-term capacity building.
Officials said cybersecurity and artificial intelligence will remain at the centre of Rwanda’s digital agenda as the country seeks to navigate rapid technological change while safeguarding national interests.
The discussions at the World Economic Forum, they added, underline Rwanda’s intention to play a more active role in shaping how emerging technologies are deployed in Africa, balancing openness to innovation with a strong emphasis on control, security and sovereignty.
