Despite having been identified as the most improved economy worldwide since 2005, according to the World Bank's Doing Business Report 2014, and increasing its GDP by US$1.17 billion in the last five years, Rwanda's government remains concerned about the country's skills base.

Authorities believe there is a strong need to leverage ICT to digitise its skills base and create a workforce that can sustain what they describe as digital dependent industries.

Digitisation and equipping the workforce to reinforce industries will come under the spotlight at the Global African Investment Summit COMESA, scheduled for 5 and 6 September 2016 in Kigali.

Heba Salama, Director of the COMESA Regional Investment Agency comments: "Information and Communication Technology is a central engine to driving Rwanda's transformation to a knowledge -based economy, a fact Rwanda has acknowledged by allocating a budget to ICT - as a percentage of its GDP - that is at par with OECD countries."

A statement from the Agency identifies initiatives including Smart Africa and the ICT Park as powerful examples of Rwanda's efforts to update its workforce.

"The schemes support the nation's rapid digital development. Since the government announced its 'Vision 2020' goal for a knowledge-based economy, the ICT industry has grown by 25 percent, internet penetration is at 28 percent and growing, and there is a network of fibre-optic cables throughout the country to support fast broadband. Rwanda has laid down the foundations to support a workforce in need of acquiring digital skills. It is only when the technological issues and skills gap in these areas are addressed that the nation can develop a knowledge- based economy, drive education and become a viable prospect for investors," the statement reads.

Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, said, "Rwanda's progress does not lie just with upgrading our current workforce, but also investing in the next generation. By making ICT a priority in our educational institutions, we will be able to close the digital skills gap, which is required for Africa to compete in the Fourth Industrial Revolution where innovative and fast-moving technologies will be much more prevalent in society. Rwanda's youthful talent will play a strategic role in Africa's trajectory, leveraging ICT and ultimately leapfrogging socio-economic development across the continent."