RIYADH: The Digital Cooperation Organization has expanded to include Rwanda as the eighth member country, with the DCO currently representing about half a billion people.

Dima Al-Yahya, Secretary-General of the Regional Coordination Office, told Arab News that the organization, which also includes Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan and Nigeria, has “combined with the intent of digital transformation and putting hands in the hands of prosperity and benefit from the opportunity () of the digital economy.”

Paula Ingabere, Rwanda’s Minister of Information, Communications Technology and Innovation, welcomed the announcement.

“Joining the Organizations Coordination Office is an opportunity to be part of (the platform) and the broader network through which we will build global partnerships, in the public and private sectors including start-ups, that will provide an inclusive digital economy for Rwanda,” she said.

REMOVE THESE BOUNDARIES AND CREATE THAT BOUNDLESS ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR YOUTH TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES. IMAGINE THAT DIGITAL INNOVATION WITH A SINGLE CLICK OF A BUTTON COULD EXPAND AND SERVE THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN, OR SERVE THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA.

DEEMAH AL-YAHYASECRETARY GENERAL OF THE REGIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE

DCO is a multilateral organization that aims to promote growth in the digital economy through cooperation among its members, which was founded in November 2020 by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Pakistan. Nigeria and Oman joined as additional founding members earlier this year.

Al Yahya said digital progress is crucial to the transformation of countries. “The DCO is more economical, it is an organization that focuses on productivity and on people’s lives,” she said. Therefore, Rwanda’s accession means that they are open to change. They are now with the advancements they have made from a digital perspective and their tech-savvy youth.”

She said this would not only benefit Rwanda internally, but other members as well. “They are now going through a huge transformation digitally. I think it is a very useful opportunity for other countries to experience that.”

According to the Regional Coordination Office, Rwanda has prioritized digital economy policies through the Rwanda Smart Master Plan and National Information and Communication Infrastructure Strategies.

Earlier this month, the government of Rwanda announced the Kigali Innovation City, which is planned to serve as a technology and innovation hub for Africa. Rwanda also announced a $100 million project to increase access to broadband and select digital public services, and to strengthen the digital innovation ecosystem. These projects will also support the development of the digital talent base in Rwanda, especially for youth, in line with the government’s national digital talent policy.

This announcement builds on the significant progress made by the District Coordination Office, which has so far confirmed five global initiatives to support policy makers, youth, women and entrepreneurs.

Al Yahya, who is known for her expertise in the digital economy, said that people need to think about impact more than anything else. “Remove these borders and create that borderless environment for our youth to find opportunities. Imagine that digital innovation with a single click of a button can expand and serve the people of Pakistan, or serve the people of Nigeria. Now, these are the technologies that our societies need.”

“Let’s open up more opportunities to make these technologies available to our countries. We at DCO aim to do so, and we hope that through our expansion plans, we get more countries and private sectors to join us.

According to Al-Yahya, the District Coordination Office is one of the outcomes of the Saudi presidency of the G20. The organization aims to develop a world in which every government, business, and individual has a fair chance to thrive in the digital age.

DCO provides companies, startups, and entrepreneurs with access to new markets. Many of the organization’s initiatives are designed to increase digital literacy and inclusion among groups often affected by the digital divide.

“We are very proud of providing a fair space for governments to work very closely with the ecosystem, which is the private sector, academia, financial institutions, think tanks, to participate in co-creation and design with the goal of creating an environment without borders,” Al Yahya said.

One of the issues mentioned by the Secretary-General that the DCO faced is the speed of technological progress.

On the participation of women, Al-Yahya emphasized that women are the essence of the organization, saying: “We aim to advance the digital economy of our member states, as well as create appropriate opportunities for youth and women.”

She noted that one of the first initiatives launched for women was the Digital Empowerment Observatory. “We make sure that it is actually implemented on the ground. It upset me when I read reports that by 2030, 350 million women will not have access to the Internet. This is not only a social loss, but an economic loss as well.”

Al Yahya explained that giving women the opportunity to communicate with the world will move women from a job seeker to a job maker. “At DCO, we see women and youth as the foundation. We represent a population of half a billion people. 270 million young people are under the age of 25. So, the opportunities are huge, and they are all tech-savvy…Imagine the number of young people they are taking from Consumer to producers to technology.

Al-Yahya exchanged words of wisdom and advised the youth to seize the opportunity and focus on their current situation.

“First, seize the opportunity, look at the opportunities in every challenge. Second, you must give your all… When you focus on where you are now, it will lead you to what’s next, and then you can achieve.”