Grace Ashiru
As of mid-2025, 38% of Rwanda’s population is now online, aligning with Africa’s average internet penetration rate, according to new data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This marks a rise from 34% in 2024 and serves as a key milestone in the country’s push to achieve universal internet access by 2030.
Rwanda now has 5.5 million active internet users from an estimated 14.4 million people, reflecting its push for digital inclusion. Guided by its Vision 2050 and the ICT Sector Strategic Plan (2024–2029), the country aims to fully integrate citizens, businesses, and government systems into a digitally driven economy.
Yet the path forward is challenging. While infrastructure has expanded and mobile access has grown, many remain disconnected not due to lack of coverage, but because the cost of access remains out of reach.
June 2025 marked the rollout of 5G services by MTN Rwanda, strengthening the nation’s growing digital infrastructure. This high-speed, low-latency network is set to drive innovations across sectors, from smart cities to healthcare. Currently, Rwanda has 1,760 connectivity towers reaching 96% of inhabited areas, with plans to add 840 more by 2028.
Still, infrastructure growth hasn’t fully bridged the digital divide. “Our internet penetration infrastructure has grown to 62%,” said Esther Kunda, Director General of Innovation and Emerging Technologies at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, in a June 9 interview with New Times Rwanda. “But infrastructure alone isn’t inclusion. Access and affordability, particularly in rural areas, are still our biggest hurdles.”
Her concerns are echoed by sharp contrasts in internet usage: while 57% of urban residents are online, only 19% of those in rural areas have access. These figures come from the Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7), carried out by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, which monitors key development metrics like poverty, public service access, and digital inclusion.
Just 20% of Rwandans currently use mobile internet, and only 34% of households own a smartphone. In 2025, the average smartphone costs around $160—still unaffordable for many, especially in rural areas. While data rates are among the cheapest in Africa, $0.81 per GB on MTN and $0.41 on Airtel, the cost remains prohibitive for low-income families. For Rwanda’s poorest, purchasing a basic smartphone and 1GB of data can consume as much as 60% of their monthly earnings.
“People in Rwanda still struggle to afford basic necessities, and you’re talking about data?” said Magnus Mazimpaka, an investigative journalist based in Kigali. “For most households, essentials come first. Buying food takes priority over owning a smartphone or paying for internet access.”
Recent tax changes may worsen the affordability gap. According to a GSMA report, raising excise duties from 10% to 12.5%, along with reinstating an 18% VAT on imported phones, is expected to drive up device prices—disproportionately affecting rural and low-income communities.
Still, initiatives to close the digital divide are underway. The government’s Connect Rwanda program, in collaboration with MTN, is boosting smartphone access through donations and installment plans. Additionally, more than 2,000 digital ambassadors are currently active across all 30 districts, helping citizens build digital skills—an effort set to grow with 855 more ambassadors joining by early 2025.
These efforts are showing results. Digital literacy has climbed to 75%, surpassing the 2024 target of 60%. This indicates that more Rwandans are equipped to use digital tools—provided they can afford the necessary devices and data.
