A newly released Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy Review of Rwanda by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says the East African country "must bolster the use of technology in sectors beyond information and communication" in order to sustain annual growth of its economy, which currently stands at 7.8%.

While UNCTAD notes Rwanda's ICT achievements over the years - which includes rollout of a fibre-optic network across the country and mobile coverage that has reached almost 100%, it emphasises that "a broader consideration of the nature of the technological progress of Rwanda is needed."

The report found that while at the present time industry (including manufacturing, construction, mining and water) in Rwanda accounts for about 15% of GDP, and having managed to grow at an average of 9% between 2006 and 2015, this has not been enough to restructure the economy.

"Rwanda's innovation efforts in promoting high-tech sectors, such as ICTs and life sciences, are commendable. However, their outcomes will only be sustainable if improvements are made to innovation performance in the more mundane but essential activities that form the economic backbone of industry and agriculture," the report says.

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, who was re-elected nearly three months ago by amassing more than 99% of the vote share, has already pledged to make more pointed investments in technology in his inaugural address.

"Government will do its part to increase regional and continental integration and promote the free movement of Africans, while investing in strategic infrastructure and technology."

Kagame also serves as co-chairman the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development which was set up by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and UNESCO in 2010.

UNCTAD says its STI Policy Review of Rwanda was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the German Corporation for International Cooperation acting in an advisory role.

STI Policy Reviews aim to help developing countries compete better in a knowledge-based economy according to UNCTAD.

The organisation says it has completed 11 reviews around the world since 2005, five of those which are on African countries including Ghana, Angola, Mauritania, Lesotho and the latest from Rwanda.