• Tool supports 4 languages, expands digital access nationwide

• Part of MTN’s digital inclusion and Smart Rwanda strategy

MTN Rwanda unveiled a prototype artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Ms. Baza, at the Mobile World Congress in Kigali last week. The virtual assistant is designed to expand access to digital services and narrow the country’s digital divide.

Ms. Baza is part of the operator’s broader digital inclusion strategy. It aims to make it easier for users to navigate MTN’s products and services and to connect them with other digital platforms, including mobile finance, online education, and digital health.

To bridge language barriers, the assistant supports English, French, Kinyarwanda, and Kiswahili, helping more Rwandans, including those with limited digital literacy, access key information and services via mobile phones.

“This is just a prototype for now, but we are committed to rolling it out in the next few months,” said Ali Monzer, CEO of MTN Rwanda. “When we talk about AI, we talk about responsible AI. Ms. Baza understands English, French, Kinyarwanda, and Kiswahili. Any AI model should be inclusive, transparent, and accessible to everyone. Ms. Baza will also be available to people without smartphones.”

The initiative aligns with the government’s Smart Rwanda strategy, which aims to use emerging technologies to improve citizens’ lives and drive economic growth.

MTN held a 64% market share in the second quarter of 2025, according to data from the Rwandan telecommunications regulator, compared with 36% for Airtel Rwanda.

Adoni Conrad Quenum