Rwanda builds communication towers

Rwanda is expanding its communication infrastructure by building 720–800 new towers to increase internet coverage from 83% to 97%, with a total investment exceeding $300 million.

Expansion Plans and Objectives

Rwanda currently has 1,781 communication towers supporting internet and fiber optic networks covering 24,949 kilometers. Despite this, 17% of the population, mostly in rural or sparsely populated areas, remains without internet access. To address this, the government plans to construct 720 to 800 new towers, aiming to raise coverage to 97% before eventually targeting 100% nationwide coverage. The total cost for the government-constructed towers is estimated at $300 million, with each tower costing approximately $150,000. Telecom companies are also required to contribute to tower construction for 10–15 years after receiving licenses, with at least 220 towers expected from private operators, while the government builds 500 towers .

Companies and Investments

Paradigm Tower Ventures, through its acquisition of IHS Rwanda Limited, now manages 1,467 towers across the country, making it the leading independent tower operator in Rwanda. This acquisition, supported by investors including Convergence Partners, British International Investment (BII), and Proparco, strengthens Rwanda's digital infrastructure and facilitates improved mobile network coverage, connectivity, and digital service delivery . Ishara Towers Rwanda, formerly IHS Rwanda, also plays a key role in managing and expanding passive telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring reliable and scalable connectivity across urban and rural areas .

Funding and Implementation

Rwanda has established a telecom infrastructure fund, where companies contribute 4% of annual revenue to support tower construction in unprofitable areas. Over the past five years, 233 towers have been built from this fund, and construction will continue. The government anticipates that, if funding is available, the $300 million required for the 500 new towers could be raised within three years, depending on national resources .

Additional Measures

In areas where building towers or laying fiber optic cables is challenging, Rwanda has started using satellites to provide internet, particularly in schools. The government is also assessing gaps in coverage, especially in hard-to-reach areas like valleys and border regions, to ensure high-quality service delivery and support digital services in sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and land management .

Impact

The expansion of communication towers is expected to enhance digital inclusion, improve access to mobile money services, and support Rwanda's growing digital economy. Research indicates that increasing mobile penetration can significantly boost GDP per capita, highlighting the economic benefits of investing in telecommunications infrastructure .