René KABALISA, Ph.D.

Independent Consultant @ Self Employed

About

Ph.D in Technology Management Economics and Policy with research interest in AI adoption in micro and macro level from Seoul National University, Korea Ph.D integrated major in Smart City Global Convergence, with research interest in City Regeneration using Digital twin from Seoul National University, Korea Masters of Science in Information Systems, Majoring in ICT4D and Innovation, from Kobe Institute of Computing, Graduate School of Information Technology, Kobe-Japan. Principal R&D at RISA - Rwanda Former Principal in charge of ICT Private Sector Development in the Ministry of ICT - Rwanda Over 12 Years Experience in ICT Sector in Rwanda, Japan and Korea with a strong Interpersonal, Organizational, Project Development and Analytical Skills. Over 10 years in ICT Private Sector Development, Business matching: B2B, B2C as well as e-marketing Speaks, Reads and Writes Kinyarwanda, English, French, Japanese, Korean, and Swahili

Country

Rwanda

City

Kigali City

Industry

Information Technology & Services

Skill

Intellectual Property, Skilled Multi-tasker, Time Management, Team Management, Technical Writing, Market Research, Qualitative Research, Research Design, Regulatory Compliance, Project Coordination, Entrepreneurship, Report Writing, Project Design, Policy Analysis, Management Consulting, Business Development, B2G, Go-to-Market Strategy, Regulatory Affairs, Product Innovation

Experience

Independent Consultant

Self Employed

2024-7 - Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

Kigali City, Rwanda

Consulting Services Technical Researcher & Writer Intellectual Property Expert & Consultant *Technology Management*, *Economics & Policy* related Consulting Services *Smart Cities* related Consulting Services & Intellectual Property (Patents, Trademark, Copyright, ..) Achievements: 1. Led the research team that developed the Africa Smart Cities Index (ASCIS2023) by Dala Group 2. Leader and main author of the Africa Smart Cities Index 2024 https://smart-cities.africa/ 3. Currently Leading the Development of the Africa Smart City Index 2025 4. I was part of the team behind the Rwanda AI Readiness Assessment Methodology - Global AI Ethics

Principal Research & Development

Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA)

2017-10 - Present · 9 yrs

Kigali

1. Establish and/or lead a diverse programme of research, advocacy, policy advice, capacity building and influence in collaboration with colleagues, partners and collaborators. 2. Lead and Coordinate the Implementation Government & Private-Led of R&D's Projects ranging from Drones, AI, Big Data, IoT, SmartCities, Digital Solutions, .... 3. Initiate and steer the design, development, coordination and implementation of large and complex research programmes and initiatives at the group, cross-group and institute level. 4. Direct the development and implementation of ongoing programmes of work and new research agendas 5. Develop and expand long-term relationships with existing and new potential partners 6. Participate in international bodies and communities of practice; liaise with public, private, academia and other similar institutions for collaboration purposes. 7. Leading the development of innovation related strategies and policies including the Public Procurement for Innovation (PPI) policy.

Market Researcher

THE WAVE TALK

2020-7 - 2020-9 · 3 mos

Pangyo-myeon, South Chungcheong, South Korea

Analyzed consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of THE WAVETALK products to the African market, mainly Gabon, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Principal in charge of ICT Private Sector Development

The Ministry of Youth and ICT, Rwanda (MyictRwanda)

2017-4 - 2017-10 · 7 mos

Rwanda

1. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing in relation to Private Sector partnerships and strategic partnerships development 2. Support the startup ecosystem in Rwanda 3. Attract investors 4. Led the Development of several policy and strategic documents including the Rwanda BPO Stratregy

Hardware Engineer

Rwanda Development Board (RDB)

2012-2 - 2017-4 · 5 yrs 3 mos

Kigali, Rwanda

- Prepare Strategic and Operational plans for the Information Communications Technology (ICT) Department to ensure that all necessary ICT tools, processes and systems are in place to meet the requirements of the business and contribute to the achievement of short- and long-term goals of Government Institutions - Provide Advice in Several areas ranging from IT Procurement, Network Installations & Design, Business Analysis, Project Management, Hosting Services, Software Development, Website and Content Management Development