The Rwandan government, in collaboration with MTN Rwanda and Viamo, has launched a new service called Miss Baza, which utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to provide citizens with essential information on various aspects of daily life. This service aims to bridge the information gap for those without internet access or smartphones. Miss Baza was officially launched on October 29, 2026, and is expected to benefit millions of Rwandans.
Miss Baza allows users to ask questions in voice format and receive answers in Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili. The service provides information on topics such as education, health, agriculture, financial management, and more. Users can access Miss Baza by dialing 845 and selecting the AI conversation option. The service offers 30 free minutes per month, and users can purchase additional minutes for 45 Rwandan francs each.
The development of Miss Baza involved a partnership between MTN Rwanda, Viamo, and the Rwanda National Commission for Information Technology (Pindo). The service uses Gemini, an AI technology that enables human-like conversations. According to Céline Duros, Viamo's head of partnerships in East and Southern Africa and Asia, Miss Baza is designed to make AI accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical expertise.
The launch of Miss Baza is part of Rwanda's efforts to leverage AI and digital technologies to improve citizens' lives. Minister of Information Technology and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, emphasized the importance of using AI to address practical problems faced by citizens. She encouraged MTN and its partners to continually improve the service and ensure that it provides accurate and reliable information.
MTN Rwanda's CEO, Monzer Ali, stated that the company aims to support Rwanda's efforts to harness the potential of AI. He emphasized that Miss Baza will continue to evolve and improve based on user feedback. The service has already reached over 500,000 users and is expected to expand further through partnerships with government agencies, businesses, and other organizations.
Miss Baza is expected to complement existing government services, such as Mbaza, a platform that provides information and tracks citizen issues at the local level. The government has encouraged MTN and its partners to integrate Miss Baza with other services, such as MTN Mobile Money, to enable users to access a range of services, including bill payments and money transfers.
The introduction of Miss Baza is a significant step towards increasing access to information and digital services in Rwanda. With over two-thirds of Rwandans lacking smartphones, services like Miss Baza are crucial in bridging the digital divide. As the service continues to evolve, it is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of millions of Rwandans, particularly those in rural areas and those with limited access to digital technologies.
Key points
- Miss Baza provides essential information on education, health, and more via AI, without internet access.
- The service aims to bridge the information gap for those without internet access or smartphones.
- Miss Baza has already reached over 500,000 users and is expected to expand further through partnerships.
