Kigali, Rwanda, The Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU) and Airtel Rwanda, on October 13th, 2026, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand access to affordable telecommunications, digital services and financial transactions for mining workers, their families and surrounding communities across Rwanda.
The partnership aims to strengthen digital inclusion in the mining sector by making communication services, mobile technology and digital financial transactions more accessible and affordable.
For REWU, the agreement represents an effort to extend its commitment to workers’ welfare beyond traditional workplace concerns by promoting access to digital services that can support workers’ daily lives, financial transactions and participation in the country’s growing digital economy.
As digital technologies become increasingly important in communication, payments and access to services, affordability remains a key consideration for workers and households. Through this partnership, REWU seeks to help mining workers and their families benefit from accessible telecommunications products, affordable digital transactions and flexible payment arrangements.
By extending the initiative to communities surrounding mines, the partnership is expected to widen access to digital services beyond the workplace, benefiting households, local businesses and other community members.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, REWU Secretary General Eng. André Mutsindashyaka said the agreement reflects the Union’s commitment to exploring practical initiatives that improve workers’ welfare and respond to their evolving needs.
“Our responsibility as a workers’ union goes beyond advocating for better working conditions. We must also explore opportunities that improve the everyday lives of workers, their families and the communities in which they live. Through this partnership with Airtel Rwanda, we want to help mining workers access affordable communication services, digital financial transactions and mobile technology that can make their daily activities easier. We believe that digital inclusion is an important part of improving workers’ welfare, and we want the benefits of this initiative to reach communities around mining operations as well.” said Eng. Mutsindashyaka.
The REWU Secretary General further noted that the partnership would allow the Union to integrate Airtel Money into its daily operations, particularly where digital transactions offer a practical and affordable alternative to other payment methods.
The initiative also aligns with Rwanda’s broader efforts to expand smartphone ownership and encourage the use of digital technology in everyday activities. By facilitating access to approved handsets and related services at affordable costs, the partnership is expected to help more mining workers and community members adopt mobile technology for communication, payments and other digital activities.
A partnership to promote digital inclusion
Airtel Rwanda welcomed REWU’s commitment to the agreement, noting that the collaboration would create opportunities for both employees and employers in the mining industry to benefit from accessible telecommunications and digital financial services.
Through the partnership, mining workers will be encouraged to adopt Airtel’s mobile services, including voice and data bundles, SIM cards, approved handsets and Airtel Money. The initiative will also promote digital payments for personal and business transactions, contributing to greater use of mobile financial services within mining communities.
REWU will leverage its network of community-based representatives to raise awareness, mobilize workers and connect communities with Airtel’s products and services.
By connecting mining workers and surrounding communities with affordable telecommunications and digital financial services, REWU and Airtel Rwanda aim to contribute to a more digitally connected mining sector in which workers can access useful technologies and services for their personal, family and professional activities.
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