Rwanda’s first voice AI companion, Miss Baza, has been officially launched by MTN Rwanda and Viamo, enabling people to access information on education, healthcare, agriculture, financial literacy and everyday life through ordinary mobile phones without requiring smartphones or internet access.
Launched on October 29, 2026, the platform allows users to ask questions and receive spoken responses in Kinyarwanda, English, French and Kiswahili. Rwandan technology company Pindo has also contributed to its development.
Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire attended the launch alongside MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer Monzer Ali, Eden Care Rwanda CEO Kevin Rudahinduka and Céline Duros, Viamo’s Senior Regional Partnership Director for Eastern and Southern Africa and Asia.
Addressing Rwanda’s Digital Access Challenges
Two out of three Rwandans do not own a smartphone, according to background figures on digital access, highlighting the difficulties many people face in accessing information, educational resources and opportunities available through digital platforms.
Miss Baza aims to address this gap by allowing people to explore topics such as education, healthcare, agriculture, financial literacy, life skills and everyday challenges through voice conversations, particularly benefiting rural communities and those with limited digital access.
According to MTN Rwanda, Miss Baza has already reached more than 500,000 users, while the existing telephone-based information platform serves approximately two million users monthly.
How Miss Baza and Radio10 Corner Can Be Accessed
Customers can access Miss Baza by dialling 845 on an MTN line and selecting the AI assistant option. The service offers 30 free minutes monthly, after which calls cost Rwf45 per minute.
The same platform provides access to Radio10 Corner through option 3, allowing listeners to access news, sports, entertainment, mental health, life skills and other educational programmes without internet access.
Unlike Miss Baza, which allows users to ask questions conversationally, Radio10 Corner provides audio programmes that listeners can select according to their interests.
Partners Explain the Technology and Its Reach
Rene Nzabakira, MTN Rwanda’s Senior Manager for Devices and Digital, said Miss Baza had progressed from a pilot project to an officially launched service.
“It was originally a pilot, but today we’ve launched it and we are now going to maximise it depending on what clients ask frequently,” he said.
Céline Duros, explained that the assistant uses Google’s Gemini AI technology to enable natural conversations through ordinary phones.
We bring it to the people with MTN. And there’s technology behind and some level of complexity but for users it’s a conversation,” Duros said at the launch.
MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer Monzer Ali said the initiative supports Rwanda’s efforts to expand the use of artificial intelligence.
“Rwanda has started preparing itself to leverage the opportunities that AI presents, and we want to be part of that journey,” he said.
Ali acknowledged that the technology would require continuous improvements to address errors and respond to users’ needs.
Government Calls for AI That Solves Everyday Problems
Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire said artificial intelligence should focus on solving practical challenges affecting citizens.
“Whose problem are we solving? What problem are we solving? And what’s the best way to solve it? I think if we can answer those three questions, then AI will be able to create a meaningful impact for our citizens,” Ingabire said.
She emphasised that the platform must provide accurate information, remain affordable and protect users’ personal data.
The minister also challenged MTN and its partners to demonstrate within the first 100 days how Miss Baza could help resolve a recurring problem affecting citizens.
She said the platform’s success should be measured by whether it helps users make informed decisions, save time and avoid unnecessary journeys, rather than simply counting calls.
Expanding Partnerships and Future Services
Miss Baza is expected to expand through partnerships with government institutions, businesses and other organisations.
Eden Care is among the initial partners supporting access to health insurance information, while plans include integration with MTN Mobile Money to facilitate payments for utilities, parking fees and taxes through voice commands.
Ingabire also encouraged integration with Mbaza, the government information platform developed under the Ministry of Local Government, to ensure consistent information for citizens.
MTN and its partners plan to continue improving the assistant’s accuracy and expanding its capabilities as more people begin using the service.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10