RICTA urges more businesses to register ‘.rw’ internet domains in Rwanda

Rwanda, despite boasting of more than 90 percent internet penetration, still lags behind when it comes to the number of Rwandan-hosted websites compared to its East African neighbors. In an effort to bridge this gap, the country's Ministry of ICT, through the umbrella organization RICTA, has initiated a campaign to encourage more Rwandan businesses to register using the local domain '.rw'. Grace Ingabire, the CEO of RICTA, provided insights into this initiative in an interview with CNBC Africa. The campaign, named Naisa Mo, aims to increase awareness and adoption of the '.rw' domain among Rwandan businesses. It targets companies without a web presence and those currently using '.com' domains, highlighting the global reach, security, and affordability of the local domain. Through partnerships with entities like RISA, RICTA ensures the security and reliability of '.rw' websites, debunking the misconception that '.com' is the only option for international exposure. Despite the success of previous campaigns, such as Doing Business Online, which targeted SMEs, Naisa Mo aims for a broader impact by engaging large corporations, educational institutions, cooperatives, and international markets. By collaborating with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, RICTA aligns its efforts with Rwanda's vision of becoming a digital economy. The campaign's success will be measured by the increase in the digital footprint of Rwanda, specifically by transitioning more companies from '.com' to '.rw' domains. To overcome the perception that '.com' is more globally recognized, RICTA plans to utilize social media platforms and ambassadors who are already using the '.rw' domain to demonstrate its effectiveness. By leveraging the support of CEOs, legal professionals, and the ICT sector, RICTA aims to showcase the international appeal and functionality of the '.rw' domain. With competitive pricing and ease of accessibility through automated resellers, RICTA intends to make registering '.rw' domains a simple and cost-effective choice for Rwandan businesses. By encouraging the adoption of the '.rw' domain, RICTA strives to establish a distinct Rwandan online identity and promote digital sovereignty in the country.