Private Sector Dialogue on Procurement Barriers for Local ICT Firms
On May 19th, 2025, the Center for Law and Innovation (CLI) participated in a high-level Private Sector Dialogue on the theme “Addressing Structural and Institutional Gaps in Public Procurement for Local ICT Firms,” hosted by the ICT Chamber. The event brought together key stakeholders, from public and private institutions, senior representatives from ICT firms and start-ups, and policymakers. The dialogue formed part of a broader initiative to strengthen Rwanda’s digital economy by addressing procurement challenges that limit local ICT firms' access to public tenders.
This consultative session provided a closed, results-oriented platform for candid, solution-driven exchanges. Participants shared firsthand experiences and identified critical procurement challenges, including restrictive tender conditions, insufficient data access, and a lack of early engagement with government entities. The discussions shed light on how institutional practices and structural inefficiencies inadvertently exclude innovative local players, ultimately stunting the sector’s potential to drive national digital transformation.
The engagement emphasized the need for inclusive, locally informed reforms and outlined a compelling vision for change. Among the key recommendations were the creation of an ICT firm stratification framework, improved access to procurement information, policy reviews, and stronger collaboration among local firms. Notably, participants proposed establishing a Public-Private Dialogue Unit and a centralized platform for previewing and pitching tenders, both of which aim to ensure sustained, strategic cooperation between public institutions and private innovators.
This dialogue reaffirmed the Center’s commitment to enabling systemic reforms that unlock local potential and build resilience in Rwanda’s tech ecosystem. By amplifying local voices and advancing practical, collaborative solutions, CLI continues to play a catalytic role in shaping a more equitable procurement landscape, one that supports innovation, strengthens local enterprise competitiveness, and contributes to Rwanda’s broader development goals.