Cenfri contributes to building the fundamentals of welfare-enhancing digital economies. We prioritise digital transformation that is inclusive, sustainable, opportunity-creating and has appropriate safeguards. Digital transformation underpins much of our work and ranges from payments digitalisation to digital economy diagnostics, and digital skills assessments to direct digitalisation support. Cenfri also collaborates with policymakers and other public and private sector stakeholders in data-driven decision-making that is calibrated to the data available and is designed to strengthen the existing skills and data governance processes within these organisations. The Rwanda Economy Digitalisation Programme is our flagship evidence-informed policymaking and data-for-decisions intervention, but we have considerable experience in using evidence to generate insights and inform policymaking and business decision-making with a view to improved economic development outcomes. Our expertise in data, payments and digital identity enables us to contribute to current DPI (digital public infrastructure) conversations. |
The promise of open finance has led to a rapid proliferation in countries exploring implementation globally. However, it also comes with costs and risks—particularly as highly sensitive personal information is being made shareable. For African regulators and policymakers, open finance is an important emerging trend that requires a clear understanding
Ghana’s tourism industry presents an exciting landscape for growth, offering significant potential for youth employment and entrepreneurship. However, an effective digital presence is a prerequisite for competitiveness in the global tourism sector and in Ghana, digital technology adoption among tourism operators remains nascent. Data and digital technology increasingly enable tourism
In 2024, the Rwandan Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) partnered with the Rwanda Economy Digitalisation (RED) Programme with a clear objective: to strengthen its capacity to manage data, drive faster project delivery, and use digital tools to inform national planning. Cenfri spoke with Romalice Ishimwe, Chief Digital Officer at the Ministry
To enable improved data-driven decision-making through access to shared government data, the Government of Rwanda (GoR) has approved a National Data Sharing Policy (“the policy”) Proposed by the Rwandan Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT), and drafted through the Rwanda Economy Digitalisation programme, the policy could be a gamechanger in
Intentional use of data has the potential to improve outcomes for smallholder farmers, and Cenfri is excited to be participating in a 36-month UN Joint Programme in Tanzania, championed by the Ministry of Agriculture and supported by UNCDF, IFAD and FAO. The programme will enable safe, practical data sharing between
The cost of digital ID verification may seem like a technical detail, but it lies at the heart of expanding access to financial services, supporting innovations such as open finance, and enabling a digital future. In June 2025, South Africa’s (SA’s) Department of Home Affairs (DHA) announced that it would
The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) has long been known for its censuses, household surveys, and economic measurements. But it is evolving, with a shift from traditional statistical production to increased reliance on big data or alternative sources of data. To understand this shift, we sat down with
The initiatives undertaken as part of Cenfri’s Rwanda Economy Digitalisation Programme are designed to strengthen the data ecosystem in Rwanda. We want to see people excited about using data and unlocking its potential for improved policymaking and service delivery. One such initiative is a Community of Practice – a safe
In this interview, Pádraig Dalton, former Director General of the Central Statistics Office of Ireland, reflects on leading the shift from an organisation producing statistics to one providing insights and data services across the system. Having consulted with the National Institute of Statistics Rwanda (NISR) under the Rwanda Economy Digitalisation
Policymakers, especially in Africa, are facing unprecedented trade-offs between economic opportunity, national security, and climate sustainability. This article has been in the making for a while and the rapidly evolving global context makes it challenging to account for all the nuances, but some fundamental considerations persist. This is the first
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) account for 98 percent of all businesses in Rwanda, employing over 2.5 million people according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry. However, despite increased business digitalisation globally, the digital journey of many MSMEs in Rwanda is still fragmented, potentially inhibiting their growth. While
