The Rwandan government is making waves in rolling out technological solutions for its citizens. One local startup is striving to make sure the benefits are felt across the whole country.
Techno Stuffs initially launched to provide internet cafes, public secretariats and computer training in the Rwandan capital Kigali City. However, it pivoted after managing director Jean Pierre Tuyisenge spotted an opportunity in helping people with no computer skills access thye online services being provided by the government.
“We came up with an idea to initiate a “technology agency”, a programme aiming to bring agents to serve people living in isolated villages,” he told Disrupt Africa.
The startup has basically set itself up as an intermediary between government institutions and rural Rwandans with no computer skills. It has started small, with two agents helping around 15 people each day, but is now looking for US$60,000 funding to build this agent team to 100.
Techno Stuffs agents are equipped with a computer, modem and licence to work as agents for government institutions, bridging the gap between online services and rural people.
“People that work with agents no longer have to take long journeys to find an internet cafe or bank to pay for government services,” Tuyisenge said.
“Our country is setting up ICT infrastructure, but most of the technology innovators are concentrating in developing new applications instead of maximising the existing ones. We are trying to make something which is unique and spread technology in isolated people.”
The government has noted the startup’s worth. Techno Stuffs has already partnered with a number of public institutions, such as Rwanda Online, the Rwanda Revenue Authority, Bank of Kigali, and the University of Rwanda.
It makes its money from taking a commission on each payment made via its agents, for example, by taking a 10 per cent cut on the price of a driver’s licence application.
