Transformation of organizations through cloud technologies – challenges & benefits. A case study in Rwanda.

Abstract: From start-ups and small businesses to enterprises, cloud computing significantly impacts their operations. Many studies and research projects on cloud computing have been carried out to assess the impact of how organizations deliver IT services. This study has been conducted in organizations in Rwanda, one of the fastest-growing African countries in the ICT sector, which is turning the nation into a knowledge-based economy. Cloud computing provides several advantages to organizations, and the future also seems promising. However, organizations face several risks and challenges in using this technology. Therefore, they must be aware of challenges when migrating the workload to the cloud. This may alleviate not only the challenges but also create a graceful transition to the cloud. Therefore, this study will measure the perceptions of the challenges and benefits of using cloud computing technology in organizations in Rwanda. As the study shows, the major challenge organizations face is a shortage of cloud experts in the industry. The study revealed that migration is complex and risky, data security and privacy are concerns, and a high-speed internet connection is required and costly. The benefits include: minimizing IT costs with a pay-as-you-go model, better performance and speed, flexibility and scalability as the needs change, collaboration, and communication in the organization. It was concluded that, as cloud computing technology is a new concept to organizations, challenges in its implementation may occur. To help Rwanda's ICT sector grow, policymakers, organization managers, and executives should develop a comprehensive solution policy to address these challenges.