Rwanda Plans to Generate 1.5 Million Non-Agricultural Employment Opportunities through a Digital Platform
Rwanda is set to launch an Innovative Digital Platform (INNODIP) by December 2023 as a solution to combat unemployment. The platform, spearheaded by the University of Tourism, Technology, and Business Studies (UTB) and the Rwandan government, aims to bridge the gap between industry and academia to address the country’s high unemployment rate.
The recent Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) revealed that 47.7% of the population, approximately 3.8 million people, are employed, while the current unemployment rate stands at 17.2%.
Recognizing that a significant portion of the labor force is engaged in agriculture, the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) has made it a priority to create 1.5 million off-farm jobs in sectors such as light manufacturing and construction. The INNODIP project aligns with this objective and aims to facilitate its accomplishment.
The Project Coordinator of INNODIP, Prince Wasajja Kiwanuka, explained that the platform will consist of a website and a mobile application that will enable users to apply for available job opportunities. Furthermore, business owners will have the opportunity to suggest curriculum revisions and offer internship opportunities. Notably, Dr. Lillian Umutesi, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs at UTB, emphasized that the digital platform will be developed locally by Rwandan tech experts, without the need for outsourcing.
