RWANDA – From 17 to 20 November 2025, the Chandler Institute of Justice (CIJ), together with the Chandler Governance Group (CGG) and Rwanda's Ministry of ICT & Innovation (MINICT), successfully concluded a four-day International Knowledge Exchange Workshop on ICT Policy and Law Design in Kigali. The programme marked the first collaboration between CIJ and CGG, bringing together their respective strengths in law reform and public service capability development to support Rwanda's digital transformation agenda.

Deepening Collaboration for Digital Governance Excellence

The workshop opened with remarks from MINICT's Permanent Secretary, whose presence signalled Rwanda's strong institutional commitment to evidence-based digital policymaking. Over four days, government officials, private sector representatives, civil society partners, and technical experts engaged in structured discussions, expert presentations, and collaborative group exercises designed to strengthen Rwanda's public sector digital capabilities. Sessions focused on emerging technologies, cybersecurity, data protection, and agile regulation, drawing on Singapore's digital governance experience as a practical reference model.

Michael Butera, Advisor to the Minister of Justice, delivered opening remarks at the workshop. He highlighted the collaboration between CIJ, CGG, and the Government of Rwanda in strengthening the capacity of legal professionals from the Ministry of Justice, the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD), and the Rwanda Law Reform Commission, with whom CIJ holds an MoU. These institutions play a central role in Rwanda's law reform process. The workshop aimed to equip them with the digital governance expertise needed to support the ongoing ICT Law Reform Initiative.

The programme was led by two subject-matter experts, Yeong Zee Kin and Gaurav Keerthi, who brought deep expertise across digital law reform, digital policy, and innovation. Their facilitation drew consistent praise, with participants highlighting the quality of delivery, the engaging learning environment, and the workshop's direct relevance to Rwanda's national priorities.

Strategic Outcomes and Pathways Forward

"This workshop comes at a pivotal moment as Rwanda advances the revision of its ICT Law to address emerging technologies and ensure our digital governance framework remains fully aligned with Vision 2050 and NST2," said Fiacre Mushimire, Director General, Future Planning, MINICT, Rwanda.  He added: "The sessions have delivered practical, forward-looking insights, from agile regulatory tools to global best practices, that strengthen our capacity to build an adaptive, citizen-centred digital ecosystem. We sincerely appreciate CIJ for its valuable partnership in delivering this workshop."

MINICT has signalled a continued need for specialised technical expertise as it advances its national ICT Law Reform and Digitisation agenda, and both CIJ and CIG are committed to deepening the partnership across further technical workstreams in 2026 and beyond.

Effective digital governance requires both the right laws and the institutions capable of implementing them. This partnership is committed to helping Rwanda build both.