Africa faces major problems. As a result, development lags. In efforts to improve this, individual governments are providing solutions. Rwanda’s smart and green villages initiative is an example of this. Rwanda Green Fund and 20 Regions of Climate Action (R20) are important agencies. They are concerned with environmental conservation. So, the two signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 10/102019 on building smart green villages. The deal named ‘Smart Green Villages’ is all about developing settlements. The green economy involves the use of raw materials to produce natural solutions.
About GASCA
GASCA stands for Global Alliance for Smart Cities and Smart Villages in Africa. This agency will ensure the project runs successfully. It is an organization formed by top African countries and global players. GASCA’s vision is to provide smart solutions in Africa. By “smart” we mean digital penetration in rural settings. Rwanda’s smart and green initiative will benefit 200 to 300 people in a rural setup. It will give them digital skills and entrepreneurship opportunities.
A distant area is considered for the project. This is because of testing the sustainability of energy, connectivity, and agriculture. A location that is far away from the rest of the settlements is best. If the pilot program works, then the players will fund a large scale smart green villages.
FOREWA CEO Hubert Ruzibiza on the smart green villages
“In the Smart Green Village, we will bring all sustainable principles including low carbon gas emissions, energy efficiency. At this stage, we are bringing model houses that are affordable with components of raw materials that are sustainable and that can be sourced and manufactured locally.”
We think if successful, we can export the solutions to the rest of the continent. We have model houses we will use in those villages, and close to a year, we will have something to present,” he added.
Financing smart solutions
GASCA partners with private companies in creating smart solutions for sustainable cities and villages. Besides providing natural amenities to the communities, the project will arm them with ICT capabilities to boost their economic welfare. The digital revolution is also a key objective. In Africa, 70% of the population lives in rural areas and only 20% have access to the internet. The remaining 20% are not able to take advantage of the opportunities connectivity gives. Therefore, the smart village’s program is right on time.
R20 (20 Regions of Climate Action), has a role to play in this project. It was founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger to secure the financing of green infrastructure. Rwanda’s smart and green villages initiative is a beneficiary of R20. Due to the unpredictable weather patterns, a green economy is highly needed in Africa. Consequently, Africans can handle climate change well. Smart green villages, for instance, help in food security, adaptability and resilience to climate change. They are referred to as smart green villages because their development involves the use of natural resources. Amenities such as biogas energy, solar power, and electricity, are used. These are eco-friendly infrastructure that does not affect the environment negatively. So, Rwanda’s smart and green villages initiative is crucial.
Bottom Line
Rwanda Green Fund and the R20 will gather settlements and provide smart solutions and infrastructure. To begin with, a pilot phase will be implemented. Then, the deployment of large scale smart green villages will follow. The pilot phase is set to last for one year, as the sustainability of the regions is tested. Providing natural resources to the settlements plays a bigger role in protecting the environment. Such energy solutions with low carbon emissions combat pollution. Manufacturing of all the amenities locally provides an economic opportunity for small communities.
Related: Rwanda Receives Back 5 Endangered Rhinos from Europe
