registered non-profit learning organizations. Rwanda can greatly increase ICT penetration and utilization through such initiatives. Convergence: Technological innovation and market demand are driving the ICT sector toward convergence. This trend is lowering barriers-to-entry; allowing service providers to try new business models; promoting competition; reducing costs for service providers and users, and broadening the range of services and technologies available to users. The growing use of Internet protocol (IP)-based packet-switched data transmissions has made it possible for various devices and applications to use any one of several networks, and interconnect previously separated networks. Service providers around the world are embracing convergence through investment in all-IP networks – estimated to reach a cumulative total of $200 billion in 2015 – and in converged business models.8 Rwandan telecom companies are also following this trend by converging voice and data network infrastructure. In order to compete in an increasingly globalized market place, developing economies need to not only use ICT, but also ensure the availability of ICT to all sectors of the economy. This requires a significant investment in infrastructure, capacity building, and a policy environment that fosters innovation and growth. Rwanda, through the NICI process, has created an enabling environment and deployed critical infrastructure for ICT growth and development. NICI III aims to capitalize on this to accelerate services development through ICT by running efficient government services and improving business efficiency and productivity, thereby facilitating sustainable economic competitiveness for Rwanda. 1.2. Vision Adopted in 2000, Vision 2020 provides a set of overarching goals that aim to transform Rwanda from an agrarian to knowledge-based economy and achieve middle-income status by 2020. It is the blueprint for the country’s economic development strategies that has the following six pillars and three crosscutting areas: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Good governance and a capable state Human resource development and a knowledge based economy A private sector-led development Productive and market oriented agriculture Infrastructure development Regional and international economic integration and cooperation Crosscutting areas: 1. Gender equality 2. Protection of environment and sustainable natural resource management 3. Science and technology, including ICT GoR has adopted the following strategies to fast track the achievement of Vision 2020 in three priority clusters including economic, social and governance.                                                                                                                 8 World Bank, 2009, Information and communication for development : Extending reach and increasing impact   Page 12 of 85   © No part of this document can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise - without the permission of Rwanda Ministry in charge of ICT in the Office of the President.