The linkage between government and business community could be strengthened following the signing of an agreement between the government and Ngali Holdings, a local ICT firm, to create an integrated public service platform, 'RwandaOnline'.

The platform aims at offering government-to-business and government-to-citizen services through the Internet and mobile devices, the Minister for Youth and ICT, Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, said in a statement.

He noted that the build, operate and transfer agreement will also promote business partnerships between government and the private sector.

Nsengimana said the public-private-partnership (PPP) project was also aimed at bridging the access to information gap, as well as improve public service delivery through the digitalisation of services.

The project will also see the creation of a single service delivery portal for all government ministries and agencies, providing citizens and businesses with a streamlined and efficient experience, he added.

"The digitalisation of services allows for transparent service delivery, eliminates non-value adding processes and reduces operational costs that would have been brought about by manual processes," Nsengimana said.

"For Rwanda to transform into a knowledge-based economy, we must promote technology as an important driver of growth and productivity. 'RwandaOnline' will, improve efficiency in the way government agencies provide services, and also leapfrog the country to a digital economy hence boost our competitiveness," the minister said during the deal signing ceremony on Tuesday.

He expressed the government's commitment to developing a vibrant IT eco-system through partnerships with local firms, arguing that they are 'better placed to develop innovative and home-grown solutions that address the challenges the country faces.

The portal is also expected to improve accountability among government departments.

"Queuing for services and all the other hurdles encountered by citizens and businesses while applying for services will soon be history," Nsengimana said.

Andrew Nyamvumba, the Ngali Holdings chief executive officer, noted that the project will change the way business men interact with policy-makers.

"As a local company, we are happy to lead an IT project that will transform the way businesses interact with the government. This creates more opportunities for the private sector to continue investing in the IT infrastructure and, especially extend digital services to the rural areas.

Ngali Holdings is a Rwandan company with a continental presence. It has investments in a wide range of sectors in Africa, including infrastructure, research and website-based technologies.