Last week, as the world celebrated Customer Service Week, the Rwanda Internet Community and Technology Alliance (RICTA) took the opportunity to recognize and appreciate the institutions that have played a significant role in building and strengthening Rwanda’s Internet ecosystem.
The journey to establish the Rwanda Internet Exchange Point (RINEX) began in 2002 when Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Rwanda identified the need for a dedicated platform to exchange data locally in a faster, easier, and more efficient way without routing traffic outside the country.
By mid-2003, this vision had become a reality. At that time, two pioneering ISPs, together with a group of dedicated IT volunteers, worked tirelessly to set up the first local Internet exchange infrastructure. Their commitment and determination to promote technology in Rwanda laid the foundation for what is now known as RINEX.
After a full year of preparation, the Rwanda Internet Exchange Point (RINEX) was officially launched in 2004 by the Rwanda Information Technology Authority (RITA), with support from SIDA (the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden.
The first institutions to join this groundbreaking initiative were BSC (formerly Artel), Liquid Telecom (formerly Rwandatel), and the University of Rwanda. These organizations became the cornerstone of Rwanda’s technological advancement, paving the way for efficient local data exchange and digital growth.
In 2014, following consultations with key stakeholders in the ICT sector, RICTA and the Rwanda Utilities and Regulatory Authority (RURA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), granting RICTA the mandate to manage and develop RINEX. Since then, RINEX has continued to expand, becoming a critical hub for Internet traffic exchange among Internet Service Providers, Mobile Network Operators, financial institutions, government agencies, and academic institutions.
Today, RINEX is one of the most vital components driving Rwanda’s technology-based economy, bringing together 21 active members, including ISPs, telecom operators, government entities, financial institutions, and universities. It helps to accelerate Internet connectivity and service delivery, reduce local data transmission costs, enhance the security of communications and data storage within the country, and support the national vision for a technology-driven economy (Smart Rwanda Master Plan).
As part of the Customer Service Week celebration, RICTA expressed its deep appreciation to BSC, Liquid Telecom, and the University of Rwanda for their pioneering role in establishing Rwanda’s first Internet exchange infrastructure.
In its message, RICTA stated that while it celebrates the remarkable progress made today, it remains grateful to those who initiated this journey between 2002 and 2004. Without their foresight and collaboration, RINEX would not have achieved its current success. Their partnership laid the roots of the knowledge and capacity that RINEX proudly upholds today.
Now, RINEX continues to be one of the key pillars supporting Rwanda’s digital economy, playing a crucial role in minimizing international data routing and promoting fast, reliable, and sustainable Internet-based services across the country.
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