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 global data governance landscape is rapidly evolving, presenting an opportune moment for African policymakers to reassess the role of domestic data protection authorities. A key aspect to good data governance is balancing the tension between enabling innovation in data driven technologies and protecting individual rights. Since 2016, African states have tended towards
Across the world, countries are exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform public services, economic growth, and governance. Rwanda is no exception. At present, the country leverages AI models developed externally, including systems such as ChatGPT and other similar LLMs (large language models). There is growing ambition to develop locally built AI systems for national
AI is reshaping every part of public life, from how governments analyse information to how they design public services. Countries across the world are grappling with the implications of these technologies, and Rwanda is investing early in the institutional capability required to govern them responsibly. The Ministry of ICT and
For those in development, 2025 has been a bit of a wild ride and many organisations have been doing some introspection. The team at Cenfri has been thinking about how we can continue to pursue evidence-driven impact, financial independence and sustainability with an inspired, capable and purpose-driven team (our enduring
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
The global data governance landscape is rapidly evolving, presenting an opportune moment for African policymakers to reassess the role of domestic data protection authorities. A key aspect to good data governance is balancing the tension between enabling innovation in data driven technologies and protecting individual rights. Since 2016, African states have tended towards
Across the world, countries are exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform public services, economic growth, and governance. Rwanda is no exception. At present, the country leverages AI models developed externally, including systems such as ChatGPT and other similar LLMs (large language models). There is growing ambition to develop locally built AI systems for national
AI is reshaping every part of public life, from how governments analyse information to how they design public services. Countries across the world are grappling with the implications of these technologies, and Rwanda is investing early in the institutional capability required to govern them responsibly. The Ministry of ICT and
For those in development, 2025 has been a bit of a wild ride and many organisations have been doing some introspection. The team at Cenfri has been thinking about how we can continue to pursue evidence-driven impact, financial independence and sustainability with an inspired, capable and purpose-driven team (our enduring
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
