The long-delayed SIM card registration process in Rwanda begins today, giving the country’s three telecoms players 180 days to register around 5.2 million SIM card holders.
HumanIPO reported last month that the process would start on February 4, after the close of the one-month piloting exercise.
The registration process is a regional exercise under the East Africa Communications Organisation, which set the middle of last year as the deadline for all existing SIM cards to be registered. It is intended to curb cybercrime and enhance security.
Rwanda’s three telecoms players – Tigo, MTN and Airtel – will oversee the exercise and sensitise subscribers. The regular, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), says the telecoms must register every SIM card in six months, meaning they must register 28,000 customers daily if they are to beat the 180-day deadline.
