Rwanda Launches Private Sector Procurement Platform ‘e-Bid’

Kigali, January 19, 2026 - A new private sector procurement platform has been launched in Rwanda, aiming to modernize how companies manage tenders and submit bids. The platform, called e-Bid, was developed by Orion Systems & Design, a Rwandan technology company known for building mobile banking applications used across Rwanda and other African countries. It was unveiled at a private sector software conference held in Kigali on January 16, 2026. Software engineer Muhire Victor, the project’s lead developer, said the idea was inspired by the government’s procurement platform, Umucyo, after observing how it addressed long-standing challenges in public procurement. “In the past, tenders were submitted manually, and documents were sometimes lost, causing bidders to lose opportunities,” Muhire explained. “We realized there was an electronic solution, but it was only available to government tenders. The private sector had no such platform.” As a result, e-Bid was created to serve private companies, and more than 50 private tenders have already been submitted through the platform. Muhire said the system allows tender announcements, online submission of bid documents, and selection of winners without requiring physical meetings. “The tender issuer can choose to receive bids electronically and select the winning contractor directly through the platform,” he said. He added that bidder information remains confidential between the bidder and the tender issuer, with platform administrators having no access to the content of submissions. On the government platform umucyo.gov.rw, contractors can already find tender notices, submit bid documents, and have winners selected without public opening sessions - a model e-Bid aims to replicate for the private sector. Founded in 2013, Orion Systems & Design operates in Rwanda and four other African countries. The company is among the few Rwandan firms to have received the Digital Trust Seal, a certification awarded by the Software Testing Qualifications Board, with only 16 Rwandan software companies holding the distinction so far. Rwanda is one of 73 countries worldwide offering the Digital Trust Seal, reflecting its growing technological capacity and international credibility. Muhire said investment in software development in Rwanda is both demanding and profitable, citing government programs that support the sector. Since its founding, Orion Systems & Design has developed multiple software solutions used by banks and financial institutions across the region. He encouraged young innovators to pursue technology development, noting that Rwanda offers strong opportunities for those with the skills to create digital solutions.

Faits rapportés

Kigali, January 19, 2026 - A new private sector procurement platform has been launched in Rwanda, aiming to modernize how companies manage tenders and submit bids. The platform, called e-Bid, was developed by Orion Systems & Design, a Rwandan technology company known for building mobile banking applications used across Rwanda and other African countries. It was unveiled at a private sector software conference held in Kigali on January 16, 2026. Software engineer Muhire Victor, the project’s lead developer, said the idea was inspired by the government’s procurement platform, Umucyo, after observing how it addressed long-standing challenges in public procurement. “In the past, tenders were submitted manually, and documents were sometimes lost, causing bidders to lose opportunities,” Muhire explained. “We realized there was an electronic solution, but it was only available to government tenders. The private sector had no such platform.” As a result, e-Bid was created to serve private companies, and more than 50 private tenders have already been submitted through the platform. Muhire said the system allows tender announcements, online submission of bid documents, and selection of winners without requiring physical meetings. “The tender issuer can choose to receive bids electronically and select the winning contractor directly through the platform,” he said. He added that bidder information remains confidential between the bidder and the tender issuer, with platform administrators having no access to the content of submissions. On the government platform umucyo.gov.rw, contractors can already find tender notices, submit bid documents, and have winners selected without public opening sessions - a model e-Bid aims to replicate for the private sector. Founded in 2013, Orion Systems & Design operates in Rwanda and four other African countries. The company is among the few Rwandan firms to have received the Digital Trust Seal, a certification awarded by the Software Testing Qualifications Board, with only 16 Rwandan software companies holding the distinction so far. Rwanda is one of 73 countries worldwide offering the Digital Trust Seal, reflecting its growing technological capacity and international credibility. Muhire said investment in software development in Rwanda is both demanding and profitable, citing government programs that support the sector. Since its founding, Orion Systems & Design has developed multiple software solutions used by banks and financial institutions across the region. He encouraged young innovators to pursue technology development, noting that Rwanda offers strong opportunities for those with the skills to create digital solutions.