ICT Adoption and Micro-Enterprise Performance among Agricultural Micro-Entrepreneurs in Gatsibo District, Rwanda

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is increasingly transforming agriculture in developing countries by enhancing productivity, market access, and entrepreneurial business outcomes. This study examines ICT adoption and micro-enterprise performance among agricultural micro-entrepreneurs in Gatsibo District, Rwanda. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Diffusion of Innovations Theory (DIT), the research investigates how socio-economic, institutional, and infrastructural factors influence ICT uptake and its impact on micro-enterprise income and market integration. A quantitative survey of 300 agricultural micro-entrepreneurs was conducted using multistage sampling, with data collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed with descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. Results indicate that 66% of micro-entrepreneurs use ICT tools daily, primarily mobile phones and smartphones, though 22% remain digitally excluded. Notably, ICT training significantly improves digital ability, explaining 43% of the variance in adoption, enabling greater capacity for decision-making, financial transactions, and market access. Adoption was strongly associated with increased household income, improved price competitiveness, and reduced transaction costs. These findings underscore the importance of digital capacity building, affordability, and infrastructure development in bridging the digital divide for micro-entrepreneurs. Policy interventions should prioritize inclusive training, gender-sensitive programs, and partnerships to scale ICT solutions that enhance both agricultural productivity and rural entrepreneurship.