Rwanda is set to open its first innovation incubator to promote the development of technologies by the tech and entrepreneurial community in Kigali.

kLab will be based in Rwanda’s ICT Park and follow the lead of Nairobi’s iHub, which has spawned numerous start-ups as a result of linkups between techies and investors.

Rwanda’s incubator will bring together students, engineers and designers, allowing them to share ideas and link up with entrepreneurs and investors.

The kLab has already held a competition amongst members to develop its logo, which was won by graphic designer Eugene Rwagasore.

He stressed the importance of the kLab’s slogan, “Community, Innovation and Openness”.

“The numbers are there but it takes more, the truth is that a group scattered doesn't connect, misses the benefits that cohesion brings,” he said. “Having kLab as a focal point, a place where minds can meet, interact and share will help create that community.”

The new tech hub is being developed in a joint effort between the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Carnegie-Mellon University Rwanda.

The Rwandan Ministry of Education alongside the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), government has also initiated the Rwanda Innovation Endowment Fund (RIEF) to promote innovation that will further the social and economic development of the country.