Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development, Rwanda

The Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development (DSSD) project in Rwanda aimed to enhance digital capacities and establish structures to implement and disseminate SDG-relevant digital solutions. The project focused on strengthening institutional capacities of key government agencies and fostering innovation through collaboration with private sector actors and academia. Implemented by GIZ and funded by BMZ, it served as a cornerstone for advancing Rwanda's Smart Rwanda Master Plan (SRMP) and broader digital transformation efforts. The evaluation by Mainlevel Consulting assessed the project's alignment with national policies, effectiveness in meeting stakeholder needs, and potential for sustainable digital innovation.

The objective of the evaluation was to analyze the project's impact on strengthening Rwanda's digital ecosystem, assess lessons learned for collaboration between GIZ, government, and private partners, and provide recommendations for future scalability. The evaluation concluded that DSSD effectively supported the development of SDG-relevant solutions, promoted gender inclusiveness, and addressed the critical needs of its stakeholders, albeit with room for improvement in scaling solutions and addressing systemic digital gaps.

Conclusions

• Relevance and Impact: The DSSD project effectively addressed critical digital transformation needs in Rwanda, aligning with national strategies such as the SRMP and Vision 2050. It catalyzed collaboration between public and private stakeholders and contributed to SDG priorities like gender equality and innovation.
• Effectiveness: The project strengthened capacities at governmental levels (MINICT and RISA) and facilitated the creation of SDG-focused digital solutions. However, challenges in fully integrating private sector innovations and scaling solutions across sectors were noted.
• Efficiency: Despite delays in staffing and logistical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project adapted effectively by implementing hybrid training models and adjusting its implementation strategies. Resource allocation was generally efficient, though some limitations in systematic scaling were observed.
• Broader Impact: While the project created significant pathways for digital innovation, broader impacts on long-term sustainability and scaling in other African contexts were constrained by systemic and logistical challenges.
• Sustainability: The project's outputs, including the Digital Transformation Center (DTC), hold potential for replication and long-term impact, but require enhanced strategies for integration with local ecosystems and extended support beyond initial phases.

Recommendations

• Capacity Development: Strengthen follow-up mechanisms to ensure the continuity of skills development post-training. Deepen collaborations with academic institutions to integrate practical digital skills into curricula.
• Scalability and Replication: Develop a structured framework for transitioning innovative solutions from pilot to scale. Facilitate connections between DSSD-supported solutions and other funding or incubation platforms.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish standardized indicators for digital solution impacts, including gender and inclusivity measures. Regularly update monitoring systems to track long-term outcomes of implemented solutions.
• Engagement with Ecosystem: Foster sustained partnerships between private innovators and government agencies to ensure uptake and scaling of digital solutions. Explore co-financing models with other donors to sustain the DTC and its activities.
• Adaptability: Continue leveraging agile approaches to address evolving technological needs and challenges in Rwanda's digital landscape.