Digital Transformation & Data


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.

Digital Transformation & Data

Open finance in Africa: The why and the how for context-appropriate implementation

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

Digital Transformation & Data

A pocket guide to navigating the structure of the G20

On 1 December 2024, South Africa will take over the G20 presidency. This is a fantastic opportunity for Africa. In his recent Troika high-level address at the United Nations (UN), International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, announced that South Africa’s presidency will prioritise the Global South, particularly the African

Rwanda Economy Digitalisation Programme

Digitisation of government services in Rwanda: Lessons from the data

Rwanda has set ambitious goals to transition from an agrarian economy to a knowledge-based one by 2050. This is operationalised through initiatives like the Smart Rwanda Master Plan. The dream is to make Rwanda the digital hub of Africa, and a key focus is the digitisation of government services through

Digital Transformation & Data

Leveraging agricultural data for more effective policymaking

Policymakers are challenged to develop policies that will have a positive social impact. For instance, input subsidies for farmers have been widely used as a mechanism to alleviate poverty in rural areas, targeting smallholder farmers. But how can policymakers be sure they are achieving the intended objectives of the policy?

Rwanda Economy Digitalisation Programme

Data training resources for independent learners

Designed for people who want broad exposure to a spectrum of data science and data engineering content, these data training resources are available to those looking to upskill themselves. Background A clear objective of the Rwanda Economy Digitalisation Programme is to strengthen the data skills of individuals and the data

Digital Transformation & Data

The evolution of the Rwanda Economy Digitalisation Programme

Through strategic partnerships and focused initiatives, the Rwanda Economy Digitalisation (RED) programme has made significant progress in promoting data-driven decision-making in the country. I sat down with our Partnerships and Country Lead, Arlette Rwakazina, to talk about some of the achievements and challenges of the programme to date. We also

Digital Transformation & Data

Open Finance in South Africa: Promising moves, but challenges ahead

The South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA’s) publication of their Open Finance Policy recommendations (dated March 2024) is a promising step in moving the market towards growing the data sharing ecosystem in South Africa, but has it come too late?  My interest is both as a South African consumer

Digital Transformation & Data

Navigating a career in data science

There is demand for skilled professionals in the field of data science as organisations are increasingly adopting a data-driven approach. From uncovering valuable insights to driving innovation and strategic decision-making, data scientists play a significant role in practically every industry. Based on insights gained in our capacity development initiatives under

Digital Transformation & Data

Building the fundamentals of a welfare-enhancing digitalised economy

Digitalisation per se has marginal impact; the crux is the way it is leveraged and implemented. We need a better understanding of how digital transformation could create welfare-enhancing societal outcomes. Where does the impact break down and why? What are the risks of negative impacts and how to manage societies’