Rwanda and Korea Launch a USD 8 million Project to Strengthen Rwanda Industrial Standardization ICT Capacity

DG/RSB and KOICA Country Director launch the SISIC project

On 28^th June 2024, Mr Murenzi Raymond Director General of Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) and Ms. Jinhwa Kim, Country Director of KOICA Rwanda officiated the launch of a USD 8 million project between the Government of Rwanda and the Republic of Korea on Strengthening Rwanda Industrial Standardization ICT Capacity.

This collaborative effort between KOICA Rwanda and Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, aims to enhance the RSB's industrial standardization and Quality Infrastructure (NQI) capabilities. The project, spanning from 2024 to 2028, aims to bolster the competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in prioritized industries.

The SISIC Project is a testament to Rwanda’s commitment to bolstering its industrial and trade sectors by integrating robust quality standards and advanced ICT solutions. With a focus on upgrading standardization, metrology, conformity assessment, and certification services, the project is poised to elevate Rwanda’s industrial output to meet international standards and foster competitiveness in both regional and global markets.

In her speech Ms. Jinhwa Kim, Country Director of KOICA Rwanda, emphasized the transformative impact of the SISIC Project on Rwanda’s economic landscape. “KOICA remains committed to supporting Rwanda’s journey towards economic prosperity and sustainable development. The SISIC Project stands as a beacon of our shared commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in Rwanda’s industrial sector.” Ms. Jinwha Kim highlighted KOICA’s long standing partnership with Rwanda and its significant achievements in development cooperation whereby KOICA’s commitment to Rwanda spans over two decades, with cumulative support exceeding USD 150 million. She enthused that through Korea’s partnership with Rwanda, both parties witnessed remarkable progress in sectors such as ICT, education and agriculture, contributing to Rwanda’s socio-economic advancement.

Mr Raymond Murenzi, Director General of RSB highlighted that the project’s strategic alignment with Rwanda’s national development agenda underscores our efforts to promote industrial growth and enhance export competitiveness. By strengthening our National Quality Infrastructure, we aim to propel Rwanda towards becoming a regional hub for high-quality, value-added products.”

Mr. Raymond Murenzi emphasized the critical role of ICT in advancing standards implementation and conformity assessment. He commended the partnership with KOICA and the introduction of advanced ICT solutions such as the Learning Management System (LMS) and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and others. He added that RSB has embarked on a new era whereby technology is ranked among the leading drivers in standardization. As the institution has made remarkable steps to digitalize its services, the SISIC Project will revolutionize how it delivers quality services, ensuring efficiency and accessibility for all stakeholders.

As Rwanda continues to position itself as a leader in African industrialization, the SISIC Project is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing trade competitiveness, driving economic growth, and promoting sustainable development.

A specialized consortium composed of Solutek Systems Co. Ltd., Korea Standards Association (KSA), and Korea Industry Intelligentization Association (KOIIA) will serve as the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) for the implementation of the SISIC project.