This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
On November 4, 2019, Global Voice Group CEO James Claude spoke to Moses K. Gahigi about the factors Internet providers consider when adhering to government policies in Rwanda.
According to Claude, in 2012, his company won a competitive tender to provide traffic monitoring to Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (Rura), which needed full visibility of what was happening in the ecosystem—traffic, calls and SMS.
Since then, they have deployed other solutions such as mobile money monitoring. The Rura has implemented a micro levy on international traffic, generating more than $47 million for the government.
Many developing countries, including Rwanda, are looking to embark on the fourth industrial revolution, which comes with its own set of challenges.
One of the key challenges is ensuring that the coming digital economy is inclusive. This requires a few elements, such as mobile ID, and solutions where people can transact online.
Another challenge is cyber security threats, which governments must address by putting in place the right policy to protect citizens against malware, child pornography, and other online threats.
GSMA has come out strongly against Rwanda's data policy, faulting it for being inward-looking and hindering cross-border data flows. However, Claude believes that data is an asset and must be controlled. If countries put in place necessary requirements to securely share information at a regional level, that would be fine, but it shouldn't come at the cost of not protecting citizen data.
Over-the-top platforms have disrupted the voice market, and Claude advises the government to put in place the right regulation by having access to the needed information, even about new trends in technology.
There have been concerns from citizens that these services help governments spy on. However, Claude reconciles these accusations by stating that the purpose of the services is to monitor regulatory frameworks or policy guidelines, not to spy on individuals.
