South Sudan eyes Rwanda’s ICT skills

Oct 15, 2006 (KAMPALA) — The Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) is targeting Rwanda as a source expertise in Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), its official has said.

The Director of GOSS Investment Mission in Uganda, Sam Mpuga, told The New Times in Kampla last week that his government had identified Rwanda as an ICT resource centre. He said Southern Sudan would source potential investors from Rwanda to exploit opportunities available in the ICT industry in Southern Sudan.

“Right now, computer use in South Sudan is very limited, and computer experts are almost none existent. The UN, USAID and DANIDA are coming in but there is no technology and no infrastructure,” said Mpuga.

“Rwanda’s expertise in ICT would be of great importance to help us build our IT sector, which would help create a sustainable development for our country to take off.”

Rwanda is considered as a potential ICT hub in the region, thanks to the government’s significant attention to the industry.

Added the GOSS official: “The problem has been that East Africa has been a small market. South Sudan holds future opportunities for the region. We believe that even our Rwandan brothers should come and exploit the existing opportunities we have. We have oil and fuel, prices of fuel I believe are higher in both Rwanda and Uganda.”

Mpuga said the GOSS intends to open a liaison office in Rwanda, adding that Rwandan entrepreneurs were due to meet South Sudan prospective business partners at a gathering due to take place in a month’s time.

Mpuga is one of the directors of Alkebulan Investment and Promotions assigned by the Southern Sudanese Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Supplies, to woo investors from the region to invest in Southern Sudan.”

The GOSS is composed mainly of former members of the Sudanese Liberation Movement/ Army, which signed a comprehensive peace agreement with Khartoum nearly two years ago.

( New Times)