In the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda embarked on a number of strategic initiatives with a view to revamp the badly devastated economy. One area of focus was in the realm of technology, through the proof of concept strategy. Courtesy of this strategy, today, the country is known as a tech incubator, hosting pioneering initiatives across the country, local and international start-ups, world-class research and education centres, among others. As part of the 'Rwanda at 30' docu-series, two young leaders from the tech and agriculture industries reflect on the potential of Rwanda's youth-friendly growing economy. One of them is Israel Bimpe, the 30-year-old chief executive of Irembo, a technology company founded in 2014 with a mission to provide services and innovative digital solutions that enable Rwandan citizens to access government services quickly. Bimpe was exposed to technology at a young age, and, according to him, his first forays were into understanding how to apply technology in pharmacy, healthcare and education, little did he know that he could lead one of Rwanda's largest tech companies. I moved on to applying technology and specifically drone technology for delivery services and with Zipline, we were able to build the world's first drone delivery ecosystem, Bimpe says of his early days in the tech world. He later joined Irembo to continue building what he describes as the right form of platforms for government and citizen engagement, where government provides the best services to citizens, but also where citizens can easily interact with government and other institutions they rely on in their daily lives. On what Rwanda is doing with technology to continue the transition to a digital future, Bimpe believes that Rwanda will soon be the best country in the world to live and thrive in, especially when it comes to access to technology. If we're going to be the best in the next 30 years, I think it's going to be anchored in how we apply technology and technological innovation to all the things that we do, whether it's health care, whether it's education, whether it's interaction, whether it's transportation, whether it's infrastructure, whether it's livelihoods, food and more, Bimpe said. Rwanda's economic progress isn't limited to the digital realm. Innovation in the agricultural sector is transforming Rwanda's rural landscapes and empowering local communities. Another young leader featured in this episode is Sifa Florence Sangwa, a dedicated agricultural enthusiast and passionate agripreneur who is determined to see more young people enter the field and make Rwanda the breadbasket of the region. For Sifa, being the granddaughter of a farmer is what drew her to agriculture, and she believes it is a field that can empower generations. Sifa believes she will find solutions that will bring productivity and profitability not only to livestock but also to crop production, creating jobs for people and empowering local communities. Well, agriculture is no longer for the illiterate, it's not for the poor, it's for young minds that can take agriculture to another level, that can bring those innovations and technologies and other things that will empower African farmers, Sangwa said.
